Honeywell introduces film to boost PV panel efficiency, cut glare

Morris Township, N.J.-based Honeywell (NYSE:HON) said today it has introduced a new material that improves photovoltaic module efficiency and power output of PV panels.

Honeywell said the transparent coating helps to improve light transmission through glass that covers PV panels, and also has some aesthetic appeal.

The product, branded Solarc, cuts down glare from the glass, which is considered important in residential rooftop installations so they blend with their surroundings.

Honeywell—a technology and manufacturing company that makes everything from air purifiers and aerospace products to a portfolio of materials for the PV industry—said most PV panels lose about 4 percent of their potential power output from light reflection from the front surface of the cover glass.

The company’s new anti-reflective, liquid-based coating reduces reflection, allowing more light to reach the solar cell, which it said equates to higher output.

The coating can be used with all typical PV modules and works with a variety of coating processes, according to Honeywell.

Redwood City, Calif.-based XeroCoat is also developing a low-cost, glass anti-reflective coating that enables high transmission of light (see DOE sets aside $300M for autos, solar, carbon capture).

And St. Paul, Minn.-based 3M also works in the efficiency space, selling coating for windows, weatherizing materials and anti-soiling coating for solar modules to potentially decrease efficiency losses over time (see 3M seeks new market for tape and film in energy sector).

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