Safeguarding the Lifelong Value of PV Power Plants: Ultradry® APF-DL Self-cleaning Anti-pollution FlashoverCoating

As the photovoltaic (PV) industry advances towards sophisticated operation, the primary factor influencing long-term power generation revenue has shifted from the initial conversion efficiency of PV modules to their ability to maintain stable, high-power output under complex environmental conditions. Among the challenges, dust accumulation on modules and pollution-induced flashover on electrical equipment have evolved from a traditional operational dilemma—where “cleaning causes downtime and power loss, while not cleaning leads to continuous efficiency degradation”—into a core risk that erodes plant asset value and can even cause permanent, irreversible damage to PV components.

Leveraging advanced materials technology, UNIVOOK CHEMICAL (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD introduces the Ultradry® APF-DL Self-cleaning Anti-pollution FlashoverCoating. This is not merely a coating; it is a comprehensive self-cleaning solution system designed to enhance power generation revenue, ensure equipment safety, and extend asset lifespan. We empower power plants to break free from the cycle of reactive cleaning, enabling safer and more efficient long-term operation.

Confronting Industry Pain Points: The Triple Threat of Dust Accumulation​​

Pollutants on PV module surfaces pose far greater risks than simple light obstruction, significantly impacting plant efficiency, economics, and ultimately, investment returns.

Direct Power Loss:​​​

The accumulation of dust, pollen, and mud directly reduces glass transmittance, causing significant power generation losses, typically ranging from 10% to 30%. This loss is particularly severe in arid regions with little rainfall, industrial dust areas, or locations with frequent bird activity.

Hot Spot Effect – The Module’s “Silent Killer”:​​​

When a part of a module is severely shaded by substances like bird droppings or thick mud, the affected cell(s) can act as resistors, generating excessive heat and forming hot spots. Persistent or repeated hot spotting accelerates cell aging and degradation, causes yellowing and delamination of encapsulant materials (like EVA), and can permanently damage cells, leading to irreversible power decrease and a significantly shortened module lifespan.

Permanent Glass Panel Corrosion:

Acidic or alkaline pollutants (e.g., bird droppings, acid rain residue, industrial emissions), in prolonged contact with the glass surface under humid conditions, can slowly react with the glass composition, causing surface corrosion. This creates micro-pits and a hazy layer, permanently reducing glass transmittance. This damage is irreparable even after cleaning, implying a lifelong reduction in the module’s power generation capability.

Core Solution: The Super Self-Cleaning & Superhydrophobic Protective Coating System​

The Ultradry® APF-DL coating, inspired by and surpassing the lotus leaf effect (biomimetics), establishes an active, long-lasting protective system for PV modules, addressing the aforementioned risks at their root.

1.Theory: A Physical Revolution from “Adhesion” to “Roll-off”​​

• Superhydrophobic Surface Construction:​​ Utilizes low-surface-energy substances to modify inorganic nanoparticles, creating a stable micro-nano binary rough structure on the coating surface. This structure traps air, forming an “air cushion” that minimizes the actual contact area between liquids and the coating.

​• Extremely High Contact Angle (>150°) & Very Low Roll-off Angle (<5°):​​ This prevents water droplets from spreading on the surface, maintaining a near-spherical shape. Even with minimal module tilt, droplets can easily and rapidly roll off under their own weight.

2.Process and Value: Active Defense, Protecting Efficiency and Lifespan​

• Prevents The Triggers of Hot Spot:​​ The super self-cleaning property ensures that sticky pollutants cannot adhere firmly. They will be quickly removed by rain, drastically reducing the risk of hot spots.

• Prevents Permanent Corrosion:​​ The superhydrophobic surface prevents acidic/alkaline droplets from lingering, drastically reducing effective contact time and physically blocking the chemical corrosion process.

• Increases Power Efficiency & Reduces O&M Costs:​​ Utilizing natural rainfall for automated cleaning, boosting annual energy yield, and potentially reducing manual cleaning frequency by over 60%, saving substantial water and operational costs.

Technical Breakthrough: Electrostatic spraying– Enabling “Zero Downtime” Safety Maintenance​

For power plant electrical equipment, pollution flashover is a critical threat, while shutdowns for maintenance mean direct revenue loss. Ultradry® APF-DL revolutionizes this paradigm.

1. Ultimate Electrical Safety for Live-Line Work:​​

• Ultra-High Insulation Resistance:​​ The liquid coating exhibits an insulation resistance greater than 9 GΩ (reaching the instrument’s maximum range), ensuring extremely high dielectric strength.

​• Non-flammable:​​ The product itself is non-flammable, fundamentally eliminating fire hazards during application.

2. Direct Spray Application, Instant Protection, Zero Revenue Loss:​​​

Thanks to these properties, it can be safely sprayed directly onto energized electrical equipment (e.g., combiner boxes, inverters, transformer bushings, insulators). Plants no longer need to schedule costly outages, achieving “zero-downtime” maintenance.

​Synergistic Protection: Anti-Pollution Flashover Functionality​

The superhydrophobic insulating barrier formed on electrical equipment surfaces effectively prevents the formation of continuous conductive water films from fog, dew, or light rain, significantly increasing the pollution flashover voltage of insulators. Even if conductive pollutants settle, the coating’s hydrophobic nature isolates them, making it difficult to form discharge channels and fundamentally preventing pollution flashover incidents, providing a robust safety guarantee.

A Strategic Investment in Future Reliability and Asset Value​

UNIVOOK’s Ultradry® APF-DL solution offers a comprehensive value proposition that transcends traditional O&M: it delivers immediate gains in power generation revenue while extending core asset lifespan by preventing hot spots, glass corrosion, and flashover, thereby protecting the plant’s lifelong value. The “Electrostatic spraying” technology grants unprecedented flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Choosing Ultradry® APF-DL means opting to infuse your power plant with enduring vitality and competitiveness through technological innovation.

​Contact UNIVOOK CHEMICAL to obtain detailed information on the “Electrostatic spraying” application specifications, quantified self-cleaning performance data, and typical success cases. Our technical experts team is ready to provide customized, comprehensive solutions.