Porous SiO2 anti-reflective coatings on large-area substrates by electrospinning and their application to solar modules

Fabrication of large-area anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) on glass substrates by using a cost-efficient and simple approach, especially for applications in photovoltaics, remains a challenge. This study proposes electrospinning as a technique to fabricate porous SiO2 ARCs on large-area glass substrates (20×20cm2). The existing electrospinning setup is modified to enable large-area glass coatings and electrospinning process parameters are optimized to achieve sub-wavelength ARCs. The post-sintered SiO2 ARC is thoroughly characterized for the film morphology and optical properties. The transmittance for one-side and both-sides coated glass is found to be 94.3% and 96% respectively. The anti-reflective glass is incorporated in solar modules to determine the increase in short circuit current. The increase in short-circuit current is found to be 3%. Electrospinning as a fabrication technique has potential in offering a cost effective solution for synthesizing ARCs on large-area substrates for photovoltaic applications. ► Use of electrospinning to fabricate porous anti-reflective coatings (ARCs). ► Electrospinning to enable the fabrication of ARCs on large-area substrates. ► Porous SiO2 ARC fabricated on glass substrates by optimizing process parameters of the electrospinning technique. ► Transmittance of glass enhanced to 96% from 91%. ► Isc of solar modules increased by 3.2% by using electrospun-ARC glass as cover glass for the module.