Power Generation Promotion on Photovoltaic Panels by Ag/TiO₂/SiO₂ Coatings with Enhanced Antireflection and Self-Cleaning Properties

Ag/TiO2/SiO2 (ATS) nanocomposite coatings are developed for protecting photovoltaic (PV) panels via a peroxo-based route (PBR) method. The coatings exhibit self-cleaning properties against dust and high antireflection performance, achieving 96.8% transmittance at the optimal SiO2 content. The ATS nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized through an acidic peroxidation PBR process, form hybrid nanostructures with small sizes (10–20 nm) and high dispersion in a hydrosol. The hydrophilic surface of the ATS coating inhibits dust adhesion, enabling water-driven cleaning. Anticontamination is further realized through a self-cleaning property due to the photocatalytic activity of the Ag/TiO2/SiO2 conjugated nanostructures. The spray coating process combined with diverse curing approaches (UV/thermal/visible light) ensures the ATS coatings for large-scale outdoor PV panel applications. The ATS coatings demonstrated high durability, retaining >93% transmittance even after 1500 wash cycles. The ATS coatings can promote the solar-to-energy efficiency of PV systems by protecting PV panel surfaces from contamination and heat damage. Field tests in Shan'xi and Tianjin (China) at scales exceeding 1000 kW consistently showed more than 4% power generation gains over 6–12 months, highlighting the coating's effective self-cleaning and high stability under harsh environmental conditions. This work presents a novel, cost-effective solution to enhance PV panel efficiency through multifunctional nanocomposite coatings, offering a promising strategy to address critical challenges in solar energy harvesting and maintenance costs.