Many photovoltaic systems built over the past two decades remain technically sound but lose avoidable energy to reflection, surface contamination and environmental exposure. Ultrathin SiO₂ functional coatings applied to photovoltaic glass can measurably improve energy yield — without any modification of electrical or structural components.
Global photovoltaic capacity has reached terawatt scale. A significant share of installations built between 2000 and 2015 experiences measurable efficiency losses that have nothing to do with the modules’ electrical health:
Improving these existing installations — rather than replacing them — has become a crucial lever for global solar development.
The NP® PV coating modifies the surface energy of photovoltaic glass at the nanometre scale, creating a durably bonded functional surface. The result:
Investigations indicate stable electrical parameters, no mechanical stress on the modules and full compatibility with photovoltaic glass. The coating modifies only the glass surface — electrical and mechanical properties remain untouched.
Multi-year field observations across different climate regions have been documented for the tested installations. The technology has been applied in operating solar plants without dismantling modules or modifying electrical systems; in parts of Asia, surface functionalisation is increasingly integrated into the regular maintenance cycles of solar parks.
In the documented field observations, improved light transmission alone typically resulted in a 2–5% energy-yield increase under clean reference conditions.
In the documented field observations in dusty environments, the combined optical and anti-soiling effects resulted in energy-yield improvements of 5–20%. Results for a specific plant depend on location, soiling and cleaning regime.
More light reaches the cell — rain and wind keep panels cleaner.
Soiling builds up, yield drops between cleaning cycles.
Additional energy production combined with reduced cleaning requirements can result in attractive payback periods. The approach is particularly relevant for:
Because application happens on the operating plant, retrofit projects can be implemented efficiently even in utility-scale installations.
The most common questions about PV retrofit performance improvement.
Methods that increase the energy output of existing solar installations without replacing modules or modifying electrical systems — using surface functionalisation to improve light transmission and reduce soiling losses.
Long-term field observations of the documented installations showed typical improvements of 2–5% from improved light transmission and 5–20% in dusty environments. Results for a specific plant depend on location, soiling and cleaning regime and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Ultrathin functional coatings modify only the glass surface and do not affect electrical or mechanical properties. Field experience indicates stable operation without safety impact.
Yes. PV retrofit coatings can be applied to operating solar plants without dismantling modules or modifying electrical systems. This allows efficient implementation in utility-scale installations.
Functionalised glass surfaces reduce particle adhesion and improve wetting behaviour, allowing wind and rain to remove a larger share of surface contamination naturally.
Even moderate improvements in energy yield can improve the economics of large installations. Reduced cleaning requirements and increased production can lead to attractive payback periods.
Tell us about your installation — size, location, soiling conditions. We advise plant operators and O&M providers on retrofit potential, from a first assessment to implementation at utility scale.
