Siemens and Masdar partner for solar panel coating research

18 January 2012

Research to focus on adverse effect of sand and dust on solar panels

The UAE’s Masdar Institute of Science & Technology has signed a one-year agreement with Germany’s Siemens to cooperate on the research and development of coatings for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.

The surfaces of solar panels at PV solar plants are regularly exposed to sand, dust and other forms of soiling, which damage their efficiency.

The Masdar Institute and Siemens will jointly test and research the properties of solar panel coatings with the intention of developing coatings and soiling modules that require less water for cleaning than current modules. Another target is to identify commercial applications for solar technology in the Middle East region.

The agreement is an extension of the Masdar Institute’s existing partnership with Siemens. According to the previous agreement, Siemens is planning to establish a strategic anchor presence in Masdar City.

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