The document proposes using a silicon nano coating to reduce dust accumulation on solar PV panels. It first discusses how dust can reduce the efficiency of PV panels and introduces the lotus effect where microstructures cause water to bead up and roll off surfaces. It then suggests that a silicon nano coating could mimic these microstructures, creating a rough hydrophobic surface that the lotus effect repels dust from. The coating would also provide benefits like reduced cleaning needs. Testing how long dust takes to accumulate on coated panels in Qatar and developing an automated water trickling system are proposed to further optimize the dust-resistant performance. In conclusion, the lotus effect from silicon nano coatings could effectively repel dust and require less frequent cleaning of solar panels.

1. A Solution On
Accumulated Dust On
Solar PV Panels

2. Agenda
• Introduction
• How does solar PV panels work?
• Challenges
• Lotus effect
• Possible solution
• Conclusion
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3. Introduction
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity. These
panels are made up of multiple interconnected solar cells that are typically made of silicon. When
sunlight hits the solar cells, it causes the electrons in the cells to become excited, creating an
electric current that can be used to power electrical devices or stored in batteries for later use.
Solar PV panels have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to generate
clean, renewable energy, and their declining costs. They can be installed on rooftops, in fields or
on the ground, and are used for a wide variety of applications, from powering homes and
businesses to providing electricity for remote areas and powering satellites in space.
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4. How it works?

5. Advance Material Synthesis and characterization 5
The sun is the most
abundant source of
energy readily
available for free
98% pure
converted into gaseous silicon compound where it is then mixed with H2
2000oC
Highly purified
Reshaped into thin silicon wafers
which are the heart of PV cells
At this point, the silicon atoms are bonded together
where the electrons have no freedom of movement

6. PV panels anatomy
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7. Challenges

8. Efficiency issues
Dirt & Dust
• Dirt and dust on the surface of the
solar panels can reduce their
efficiency by blocking sunlight from
reaching the solar cells.
Temperature
• Solar panels work best in cooler
temperatures, but high temperatures
can reduce their efficiency.
Aging
• Over time, the efficiency of solar
panels can decrease as the materials
degrade.
1 2 3
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9. What is Dust?
Dust particles contain different elements and compounds like Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, S, Cl, O2.
Some of these elements form compounds that don't have a fixed ratio of elements, which
affects the dust particles' charges. This causes the particles to stick to surfaces due to van
der Waals forces and cluster together, changing how they stick to surfaces. Dust
composition is not uniform, so the charge distribution on surfaces with dust is also uneven.
Although dust particles come in different shapes and sizes, their rough texture makes
contact with surfaces limited. However, charged forces still cause particles to stick to
surfaces.
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10. Look deep into nature then you’ll
understand everything better
Albert Einstein
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11. The lotus effect

12. The lotus effect- EXPLAINED
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• The lotus effect is a natural phenomenon in which the leaves of the lotus plant repel water and other
liquids, causing droplets to roll off the surface of the leaves. This effect is due to the unique surface
structure of the lotus leaves, which have microscopic bumps and grooves that create a rough, water-
repellent surface.
• The lotus effect has been studied extensively by scientists, and its principles have been applied to the
development of self-cleaning and water-repellent materials. By mimicking the surface structure of
lotus leaves, scientists have developed materials with similar water-repellent properties, known as
superhydrophobic materials.

13. Dust and hydrophobic surfaces
A hydrophobic surface can repel dust and weaken the forces between
the particles and the surface because it has a low surface energy and
is less likely to form strong adhesive bonds with the dust particles.
When a surface is hydrophobic, it tends to repel water and other polar
substances, including dust particles that may be polar or charged. This
reduces the contact area between the dust particles and the surface,
which weakens the van der Waals forces and electrostatic forces that
cause the particles to stick. As a result, dust particles are less likely to
adhere to a hydrophobic surface and are more easily removed,
reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
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14. Possible
Solutions

15. Solutions
We need a transparent, hydrophobic coating that mimics the
surface of the lotus leaf to coat the surface of the PV Panels.
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Characteristics we need to look for from the material:
• Roughness: The space between the coating should be far enough to create roughness to a certain
degree but not so far that the contact particle would form itself to be rigid. this will reduce the friction
between the surface and material due to the reduction of contact area allowing contacted materials to
slide of easily. To do this an investigation on the size of particles used for the coatings is needed to find
it optimum size.
• Anti-static property: dust accumulates dues to charges, van der waals interactions and electrostatic
interactions so an anti static surface would be sufficient to reduce the accumulation of dust
• The shape of particles of the material is also to be investigated due to its effect of protrusion piercings.
• A waxy feel: lotus leaves have a waxy like feel on its surface which decrease the adhesive force
between the surface and the contacting material.

16. Various Material
Recomendations
1.Fluoropolymer coatings: These coatings are hydrophobic and oleophobic, meaning they repel water and oils. They are also anti-static and
can be applied to a range of surfaces, including glass, plastics, and metals.
2.Silane coatings: Silane coatings are hydrophobic and can also provide some anti-static properties. They are commonly used to protect
glass surfaces from water and dirt.
3.Parylene coatings: Parylene coatings are transparent, hydrophobic, and provide excellent anti-static properties. They are commonly used in
the electronics industry to protect sensitive components from dust and other contaminants.
4.Nano-coatings: Nano-coatings use nanoparticles to create a thin, transparent, and hydrophobic layer on the surface of a material. These
coatings can also provide anti-static properties, making them useful in a range of applications. It can also provide a wax-like feel and can help
to repel water, dust, and other contaminants.
5.Conductive polymers: Conductive polymers can be used to create anti-static coatings that are also transparent. These coatings are
commonly used in the electronics industry to prevent damage to sensitive components.
6. Acrylic coatings: Acrylic coatings are commonly used as a protective coating for glass surfaces. They are transparent and can provide a
smooth, glossy finish that can give a wax-like feel to the glass surface.
7.Epoxy coatings: Epoxy coatings are often used in industrial applications to provide a protective coating for glass surfaces. They can create
a hard, smooth, and glossy finish that can give a wax-like feel to the glass.
8.Silicone coatings: Silicone coatings are another option for creating a wax-like feel on glass surfaces. They can provide a protective layer
that repels water and other contaminants, while also creating a smooth, glossy finish.
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17. My sugestion
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My suggestion is to use a nanoparticle that can be used to coat glass of
the PV panel specifically silica nanoparticles or SiO2. When silica
nanoparticles are applied to a glass surface, they create a thin,
transparent, and hydrophobic layer that repels water and other liquids. To
investigate the effectivity of silica nano caotings the shape and size of the
nano particles used for the coating should be adjusted for it to be a super
hydrophobic coating. Another fact on why this material is chosen is that
this material also has a wax-like feel when coated on the surface of a
glass where this mimics the lotus leaf making its adhesive force weaker.
To further enhance the cleaning process of the PV panel due to dust
accumulation an investigation on how long it will take for dust to
accumulate on the PV that is coated with SiO2 nanoparticles in Qatar
weather conditions should also be researched. Then a mechanism for
water to drip automatically on top of the surface every time it reaches that
time should also be built for water to further clean the surface making this
a more efficient PV panel with less use of water and a lower cost for
cleaning it in the long run. Another advantage to this is it cools down the
PV where the temperature of PV is also an issue to be tackled.

18. Method to a dust repeling PV using a
superhydrophobic coating
Choosing a material with
hydrophobic, anti-static,
oleophobic properties as
well as a wax-like feel to
mimic the lotus leaf
Step 1
Adjusting and optimizing the
material in order to achieve
the most efficient coating
Step 2
Investigating how long it will
take for dust to accumulate
on top of this new coating
Step 3
Developing a technology that
will trickle water for it to
clean the surface of PV
(preferable using filtered
grey water)
Step 4
Further adjustments and
optimization of the whole
system.
Step 5
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19. Proposed schematic
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20. Conclusion
In conclusion, silicon nano coatings can repel dust effectively due to the lotus effect. The lotus effect is a
phenomenon that occurs when a surface is covered with micro- or nanostructures that create a rough surface. This
rough surface reduces the contact area between dust particles and the surface, making it difficult for dust to adhere
to the surface. When water droplets come into contact with a surface that has the lotus effect, they form into
spherical shapes and roll off the surface, carrying dust particles with them.
Silicon nano coatings can be used to create surfaces with the lotus effect. These coatings are made up of tiny,
nanometer-sized structures that mimic the texture of a lotus leaf. When applied to a surface, these structures
create a rough, water-repellent surface that can also repel dust particles. In addition to repelling dust, silicon nano
coatings can provide other benefits, such as reducing the need for frequent cleaning, improving the durability of the
surface, and enhancing its appearance.
Overall, the lotus effect is a powerful tool for designing surfaces that can repel dust and other contaminants. Silicon
nano coatings are just one example of how this effect can be achieved, and researchers continue to explore new
materials and methods for creating surfaces with the lotus effect.
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21. Thank you 