en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 24th, Researchers at the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP) in Germany recently evaluated various photovoltaic cleaning products and found that some commercially available cleaners can severely damage the anti-reflective coating on module glass, leading to reduced power generation efficiency. This discovery serves as a reminder for photovoltaic system maintenance personnel to exercise extra caution when selecting cleaning agents.

The researchers tested five photovoltaic cleaning agents sold in the European market, using deionized water as a control. In the experiment, module glass was exposed to the cleaning agents at 55°C for 24 hours to simulate wetting conditions over the entire service life of a photovoltaic module. Fraunhofer CSP researcher Marko Turek stated: "Our goal was to compare the differences between various cleaning agents under controlled conditions, not to replicate specific application scenarios."

The test results showed that three out of the five cleaning agents caused significant degradation of the anti-reflective coating, leading to optical losses. In the most severe case, photovoltaic module performance was reduced by up to 5.6%. Turek pointed out: "Changes in optical performance directly translate to power loss. If the anti-reflective coating is damaged, the module's power generation decreases." Conversely, the other two cleaning agents caused no significant impact, with effects similar to deionized water.

Microscopic images confirmed visible coating degradation on glass surfaces exposed to harmful cleaners, while samples treated with harmless cleaners maintained coating integrity. Turek added: "We observed that the coating was indeed damaged. In some areas, the coating was removed, resulting in uneven coloration and rainbow effects."

The researchers emphasized that damage to the anti-reflective coating is permanent and may be caused by chemical reactions. Although technologies exist to repair or reapply coatings, this is not standard practice. Turek stated: "Cleaning agents are often used to mitigate wear from mechanical cleaning, but it is essential to ensure they do not cause damage themselves." In the next step, Fraunhofer CSP plans to conduct in-depth research on the relationship between cleaning performance and coating damage to provide more comprehensive guidance for the industry.