KAUST Develops Self-Cleaning Solar Coating That Harvests Water from the Air
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed an innovative solar panel coating that helps maintain energy performance in dusty environments while simultaneously capturing water from the atmosphere. The technology could provide a sustainable solution for solar energy systems operating in arid and water-scarce regions.
The transparent coating, made from a food-grade silicone material, was tested outdoors at KAUST for six months. During the trial, coated solar panels experienced only minor performance losses, while uncoated panels exposed to the same environmental conditions showed significantly greater declines due to dust accumulation.
Designed with a nanostructured surface, the coating allows sunlight to pass through while repelling dust and water. It also cools slightly below ambient air temperatures at night, causing moisture in the atmosphere to condense into droplets. These droplets naturally roll off the panel surface, removing accumulated dust and enabling passive self-cleaning without additional water or energy.
The captured moisture can also be reused. In field demonstrations, coated panels generated more than twice as much condensed water as untreated surfaces, producing enough water to support small-scale irrigation.
Researchers believe the technology could be particularly valuable for agrivoltaic systems, where solar energy generation and agriculture share the same land, helping improve both energy efficiency and water management in challenging climates.
