Enhancing solar panel efficiency with a multifunctional nanocomposite coating: self-cleaning and cooling properties of ZnO, SiO2, and chlorophyll integration

This study presents the development of a multifunctional nanocomposite coating aimed at enhancing the efficiency of solar panels through self-cleaning and cooling properties. The novel coating integrates nanosized zinc oxide (ZnO), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), and chlorophyll to address two significant challenges: dust accumulation and thermal management. The results showed that the ZnO coating exhibits the highest visible light transmittance (96.38%), while the combined coating containing ZnO, SiO₂, and chlorophyll achieves a balanced transmittance of 93.48%. In terms of UV absorption, chlorophyll significantly enhances the coating's ability to protect underlying materials from UV damage, complemented by ZnO's protective qualities. Furthermore, the coating's thermal emissivity is optimized, with the combined formulation showing the highest emissivity, indicating superior heat management capabilities. Contact angle measurements reveal that the multifunctional coating exhibits hydrophobic properties, contributing to effective self-cleaning by minimizing dust accumulation—evident over a 7-day assessment period. Performance testing indicates that the coated panels demonstrate up to 22.12% improvement in power output and notable cooling enhancements, with surface temperatures decreasing by up to 9.62%. These findings suggest that the proposed nanocomposite coating not only improves energy efficiency by minimizing maintenance needs but also advances the sustainability of solar energy technologies, making it a promising solution for photovoltaic applications, particularly in dust-prone environments. Further research will focus on optimizing the coating's formulation and exploring its long-term performance in real-world conditions.