Anti-Relfection Coatings For Solar Energy Devices

Almost all photovoltaic modules have a glass cover plate as the surface which faces the sun. Light from the sun must pass across the interface between air and the glass, and at this interface 4% or more of the light will be reflected. Anti-reflection coatings on the external surface of the glass can increase the energy output from solar modules by letting more light from the sun enter the module and be converted to electricity. This paper discusses anti-reflection coatings for solar applications, the benefits to be gained from such coatings and a novel method for producing anti-reflection coatings, uniquely suited to the solar energy market is presented.