Abstract Natural soiling and the subsequent requisite cleaning of photovoltaic (PV) modules result in abrasion damage to the cover glass. The durability of the front glass has important economic consequences, including determining the use of anti-reflective and/or anti-soiling coatings as well as the method and frequency of operational maintenance (cleaning). Artificial linear brush abrasion using Nylon 6/12 bristles was therefore examined to explore the durability of representative PV first-surfaces, i.e., the surface of a module incident to direct solar radiation. Specimens examined include silane surface functionalized-, roughened (etched)-, porous silica-coated-, fluoropolymer-coated-, and ceramic (TiO2 or ZrO2/SiO2/ZrO2/SiO2)-coated-glass, which are compared to monolithic-poly(methyl methacrylate) and -glass coupons. Characterization methods used in this study include: optical microscopy, ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV-VIS-NIR) spectroscopy, sessile drop goniometry, white-light interferometry, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and depth-profiling X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corresponding characteristics examined include: surface morphology, transmittance (i.e., optical performance), surface energy (water contact angle), surface roughness, scratch width and depth, and chemical composition, respectively. The study here was performed to determine coating failure modes; identify characterization methods that can detect nascent failures; compare the durability of popular contemporary coating materials; identify their corresponding damage characteristics; and compare slurry and dry-dust abrasion. This study will also aid in developing an abrasion standard for the PV industry.

中文翻译：

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光伏组件第一表面涂层的人工线性刷磨

摘要 光伏 (PV) 模块的自然污染和随后必要的清洁会导致玻璃盖板磨损损坏。前玻璃的耐用性具有重要的经济意义，包括决定使用抗反射和/或防污涂层以及操作维护（清洁）的方法和频率。因此，检查了使用尼龙 6/12 刷毛的人工线性刷磨损，以探索代表性 PV 第一表面的耐用性，即入射到直接太阳辐射的模块表面。检查的样品包括硅烷表面功能化、粗糙化（蚀刻）、多孔二氧化硅涂层、含氟聚合物涂层和陶瓷（TiO2 或 ZrO2/SiO2/ZrO2/SiO2）涂层玻璃，它们与单片聚(甲基丙烯酸甲酯)和-玻璃试样。本研究中使用的表征方法包括：光学显微镜、紫外-可见-近红外 (UV-VIS-NIR) 光谱、固着滴测角、白光干涉、原子力显微镜 (AFM) 和深度剖析 X 射线光电子能谱（XPS）。检查的相应特性分别包括：表面形态、透射率（即光学性能）、表面能（水接触角）、表面粗糙度、划痕宽度和深度以及化学成分。此处的研究是为了确定涂层失效模式；确定可以检测新故障的表征方法；比较流行的当代涂层材料的耐用性；确定其相应的损坏特征；并比较泥浆和干尘磨损。