Performance, Abrasion Resistivity and Anti-Soiling Testing of Innovative, Nanostructured Anti-Reflection Coatings under Controlled and Standardized Conditions

Anti-reflection (AR) coatings are an established technology in photovoltaic modules. However, there are still some technological challenges when it comes to combining optimized optical properties with other functionalities like anti-soiling behavior and abrasion resistivity. In our work, we present how implemented test setups and standards including optical characterization, assessment of the susceptibility to dust coverage and abrasion testing can be applied to test new AR coatings. These quick and cost-effective lab test methods are applied to a new type of coating showing its potential of combining high optical performance with reduced dust coverage. Based on an abrasion resistance benchmark test on commercial SiO2 coatings, we demonstrate that AR coatings can be optimized not only regarding its initial optical performance but also regarding its properties required for an economic and stable operation in the field.