ZNShine’s graphene coated G12 PV panels achieves the highest level of panel self-cleaning

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The application of a graphene film layer on panels increases the light transmission performance between 0.5 - 1%, resulting in a panel peak performance increase in the range of 2 – 3Wp. Being super hydrophilic, particulates on the glass are taken away quickly by the rain without residual water required. Image: ZNShine

PV module manufacturer ZNShine PV Tech have developed graphene coating in collaboration with the China University of Science and Technology for its G12 Series of monocrystalline panels, which is said to increase the transmission properties of the glass, while the hydrophobic effect of the graphene coating achieves the highest level of panel self-cleaning, reducing O&M costs for commercial and utility-scale PV power plants. 

Problem

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Commercial and utility-scale PV power plants typically use regular manual cleaning methods to clean the surface of PV modules. This type of cleaning method is difficult to unify and it is likely to cause problems such as cracking of the PV cell and generate residual water stains on the surface of the module. The regular cleaning costs using labour resources adds to the overall O&M costs. According to industry estimates, a PV power plant with an installed capacity of 50MW could expend around US$150,000 per year for panel cleaning maintenance.

Solution

The application of a graphene film layer on panels increases the light transmission performance between 0.5 – 1%, resulting in a panel peak performance increase in the range of 2 – 3Wp. Being super hydrophilic, particulates on the glass are taken away quickly by the rain without residual water required. 

Applications

Residential PV systems, commercial, DG systems and utility-scale PV power plants.

Platform

ZNSHINE’s grapheme-coating module is compatible with PERC technology and black silicon technology. The G12 graphene series comes in a 12-busbar and 5-busbar format as well as a double-glass graphene module. 

Availability

Currently available.

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.

Read Next

July 29, 2025
US-based solar manufacturer T1 Energy has expressed support for the US government’s tariff investigations into global polysilicon imports and solar products from Laos, Indonesia and India.
July 25, 2025
A round-up of news from the Indian solar sector this week, including Reliance Industries' cell plant, Juniper Green Energy powering solar PV and Solex Energy launching new modules.
Premium
July 25, 2025
At the SNEC expo, Carrie Xiao took the temperature of the industry as it seeks a way out of cutthroat competition and squeezed margins.
July 23, 2025
A rise in global tariffs could impact solar PV and battery energy storage system (BESS) installations in the US and EU by up to 10% by 2035.
July 23, 2025
Australian solar PV module manufacturer Tindo Solar has partnered with UNSW to advance tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology.
July 16, 2025
Supply-demand imbalances and inventory pressures have driven down prices and negatively impacted the operational performance of several listed Chinese PV companies that released their 2025 interim forecasts this week.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK