Zeolite Crystals Embedded Nanotextured Coating with Hydrophobic Surface: An Innovation Toward Next Generation Solar Cover Glass for Efficient Light‐Harvesting

A zeolite crystals embedded nanotextured hard coating with hydrophobic surface is fabricated on low iron borosilicate glass to enhance the efficiency of photovoltaic systems through advance light‐trapping. The surface roughness generated from embedding 3D nanocrystals enhances absorption of sunlight by reducing reflection loss, and capturing maximum incident light to construct higher electricity and passive solar gain. Furthermore, the deposition of a very thin hydrophobic layer facilitates self‐cleaning. The sunlight to electrical power generation capability of this nanotextured coating on glass is around 2.7% higher compared to the commercial millimeterscale textured (translucence) cover glass on the standard silicon solar cell. These nanotextured self‐cleanable coatings exhibiting antidazzle and positive temperature effects, would be an ideal candidate to fabricate next generation durable cover glass on solar panel. Moreover, the elevated visual transparency along with light‐trapping efficiency of this coating can explore its additional outdoor solar applications on the glass walls in greenhouses.