MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J. — On September 21 Honeywell Electronic Materials announced a new material that improves the efficiency and power output of photovoltaic (PV) panels.

The new product, called Honeywell SOLARC, is a transparent coating material that is made to improve the light transmittance through the glass that covers PV panels, thus increasing the PV module efficiency and power output. This coating is also designed to significantly reduce glare from the glass, allowing the PV panels to better blend with its surroundings.

"SOLARC has already demonstrated the highest efficiency of any anti-reflective coatings, or ARCs, commercially available today," said Dmitry Shashkov, marketing director for Honeywell Electronic Materials. "This is another example of Honeywell applying its materials expertise, developed from 50 years of innovation for the semiconductor industry, to meet the challenges of the PV industry."

Honywell claims that most commercially available PV panels today lose approximately 4 percent of their potential power output due to light reflection from the front surface of the cover glass. In addition to the decreased electricity generation, the glare from the reflection light is considered aesthetically undesirable, especially in residential rooftop installations.

SOLARC coating is made to reduce reflection significantly, resulting in more light reaching the solar cell, which translates into higher electricity output. While use of such anti-reflective coating is relatively low in the PV industry today, it is widely expected to become the industry norm over the next few years, according to the major PV manufacturers.

Honeywell's SOLARC, which is a liquid-based coating, can be used by all common types of PV modules. However, it provides the most benefits to rooftop installations, where space is limited and any increase in efficiency is critical. Because SOLARC coating reduces glare from the glass, Honeywell says, it also contributes to a discreet, blend-in look of residential PV panels that has become very desirable to consumers installing the panels.

The coating is designed to be compatible with many coating processes, including spray, roller, curtain, slot-die and spin-on coating. Honeywell SOLARC does not require mixing of two components prior to deposition, and has at least a six month shelf life.

Demonstrating a 4 percent increase in transmission at 550 nanometers, Honeywell's SOLARC has demonstrated a response across a broad solar spectrum that is relevant for PV cell operation, from 350 nanometers through 1,100 nanometers. SOLARC coating has also demonstrated durability in a broad variety of accelerated tests designed to imitate harsh environmental conditions to which a PV panel is likely to be exposed during its lifetime.

For more information, visit: www.honeywell.com/eupvsec.

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