Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposites are studied as a green alternative to counteract solar panel soiling. CNC synthesized from acid hydrolysis is blended with PVA, and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) is blended with powdered silica (SiO2) for surface modification to produce a transparent, hydrophobic, and durable film. The objective is to test the composite film for transparency, hydrophobicity, and durability to determine its suitability as a self‐cleaning solar panel cover. The composite film exhibits an average transmittance of 93% of the incident light in the solar photo‐voltaic working spectra (420–700 nm). Results show an average water contact angle (WCA) of 87.25°, and when subjected to photocatalytic and hydrolytic decay, the film shows minimal changes in the characteristic peaks of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) plot of PVA/CNC, confirming its durability. The study points out the prospect of PVA/CNC with PBT/SiO2 film as a transparent, hydrophobic, durable self‐cleaning covers against solar soiling and warranted further research to make suitable properties.
Solar panel soiling is a major barrier in electricity generation by solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) technology, especially in dust-prone cities like Kathmandu. Currently employed techniques use expensive cleaning bots, short-lived coatings or environmentally non-friendly coatings. This paper encompasses a study of a green alternative to counteract solar panel soiling. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) blended with Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) with surface modification by Poly butylene terephthalate (PBT) and powdered silica was used to produce a transparent, hydrophobic film which could act as a self-cleaning cover for soiling prone solar panels. The film exhibited an average transmittance of 92.18% of the incident light in the solar PV working spectra (420nm-700nm). Hydrophobicity was quantified by the water contact angle (WCA) which was an average of 87.25°. The film was durable to photocatalytic and hydrolytic decay but further research is warranted before rendering the film suitable for use as a protective cover for solar panels.
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