Brisbane Materials Technology (BMT) and EV Group (EVG) have teamed up to offer a complete solution for anti-reflective (AR) coatings for the photovoltaic (PV) market.
As per the contract, EVG’s large-area coating systems have been optimized for unique processes and materials of BMT and have enabled the fabrication of AR coatings with exceptional performance.
The new technology helps in developing nano-porous silicon dioxide (SiO2) films from a liquid precursor at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. This has made this technology to be incorporated in present production line of solar glass and PV-modules.
The SiO2 film makes a covalent bond with the surface of the glass to provide high field reliability and maximum durability. Rigorous testing has been conducted on the coatings to attain IEC 61215 standards.
A pilot line has been set up by EVG fitted to demonstrate a large-area coating at its Austria headquarters. Additional details about the manufacturing equipment and materials technology will be available at Intersolar North America 2012, which is being held from 10 to 12 July, 2012, in California.
Starting from 2013, AR coatings will be used on solar cover glass. This move has been specified by the International Technology Roadmap for PV (ITRPV). Consequently, this initiative will be brought into the mainstream production.
BMT’s CEO and Founder, Dr. Gary H. Wiseman stated that the PV modules’ maximum power output can be increased by 3% with the help of AR coatings. He added that these AR coatings with their exceptional angular performance may improve a PV module’s power output by 5% to 6% or more. BMT will offer customers with complete turnkey AR coatings by combining EVG's manufacturing systems and its unique materials technology.
Source: http://www.evgroup.com/