11 June, 2026
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have developed a solar panel coating that helps maintain performance in dusty conditions while capturing moisture from the air, offering a practical approach for solar systems operating in arid environments.
The coating was tested outdoors at KAUST for six months, during which treated panels showed only minimal performance loss, whereas uncoated panels exposed to the same conditions showed significant declines. At the same time, the surface captured moisture from the air at night, which was then successfully used for plant irrigation in a controlled demonstration.
Dust accumulation is a well-known challenge for solar energy systems, particularly in regions with high temperatures and limited rainfall. Cleaning panels often requires water and regular maintenance, both of which can increase operational costs. The KAUST team set out to address this by developing a surface that could clean itself using natural environmental conditions.
The result is a transparent, nanostructured coating made from a food-grade silicone material. It combines three properties in a single layer: it allows sunlight to pass through, repels water and dust, and cools slightly below the surrounding air at night. This cooling effect causes moisture in the air to condense into droplets, which then roll off the surface, removing accumulated dust in the process.
“This work focuses on a practical challenge for solar energy systems — how to maintain performance in environments where dust and heat are unavoidable,” said Qiaoqiang Gan, professor of material science and engineering at KAUST, who led the research. “By using naturally occurring temperature changes between day and night, we can enable passive cleaning without additional water or energy input.”