Shows enhanced self-cleaning and water harvesting in agrivoltaic systems, indicating a sustainable solution for agriculture.
The integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels into agricultural landscapes (i.e., agrivoltaics) offers a promising path for sustainable land use, yet its potential is limited by dust soiling and water scarcity. Current cleaning methods are often water‐intensive, costly, or ecologically detrimental. Here, we introduce a multifunctional coating that synergistically couples PV panels with the microclimate to address these intertwined challenges. Fabricated via a simple, solvent‐free process from a food‐grade silicone, the coating is highly transparent (~91.3%, 350–1100 nm) and superhydrophobic (contact angle: 167°, sliding angle: 3°). Crucially, its high emissivity (0.90) in the atmospheric window (8–13 μm) enhances radiative cooling, passively inducing nighttime condensation. This condensation triggers a self‐cleaning mechanism, where shedding droplets autonomously remove dust, and simultaneously enables atmospheric water harvesting. In 6‐month outdoor tests in Saudi Arabia, coated panels maintained performance with only ~1.5% power loss, compared to ~28% for uncoated panels. Furthermore, the system achieved a dew yield of 128 g m −2 per night—over twice that of untreated surfaces—providing a water source sufficient for irrigating co‐located crops (demonstrated with Brassica rapa chinensis ). This work transformed the PV panel from a passive energy harvester into an active hub that ensures its own performance while supporting on‐site agriculture, establishing a resilient and self‐sustaining nexus for energy, water, and food security.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Dang et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: