A Sandia National Labs-led research team has developed a transparent, polymeric-based coating that helps photovoltaic panels continuously shed snow and ice.
Early field trials in Alaska demonstrated that coated panels can produce 85% more energy, compared to uncoated panels. Preliminary data also show that the coating maintains its ice- and snow-shedding performance for multiple months.
The DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office funded the work, and longer-term studies are planned.
