With the signing of a distribution agreement between Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation and XeroCoat for the sale of anti-reflective coating solutions for solar modules, both the companies are hoping to capture a leading market share in the solar market. As per the agreement, anti-reflective coating equipment and materials manufactured by XeroCoat will be sold by Hitachi High-Technologies in Japan and China.
By the year 2015, half of all solar modules are expected to have anti-reflective coatings, according to Hitachi High-Technologies. In 2010, the solar power market is expected to generate about 8,800 MW, representing 19% annual growth rate, according to Nomura Research Institute. And the solar power output by the year 2015 is anticipated to be approximately 21,000 MW.
The cost for generating power from solar panels is high in comparison to other sources, since energy conversion rate from solar is only about 20%. This acts as a significant roadblock for solar power adoption. By using anti-reflective coating on the protective glass of the solar modules, transmission of sunlight is more thus enhancing the energy conversion rate. About 4% of the sunlight that falls on the solar modules’ glass surface is reflected. After applying the anti-reflective coating, the amount of reflected light is reduced to 1%. An increase of 3% peak power output can be expected after XeroCoat coating is applied on the glass surface of solar modules.