Development of Functional Coatings on Cover Glass for Produktion of more Efficient Solar Collectors

Purpose and goal

Together with RISE and Umeå University, Absolicon has developed the world´s best cover glass for solar thermal applications. This has been achieved with a new self-cleaning anti-reflective coating with better optical properties and durability than the commercial alternatives available today. This has been possible with the new aerosol-based deposition technology nFOG and a unique pore structure. The aerosol-based deposition entails great cost and quality benefits for large-scale production, and we are now working towards industrialization of the coating.

Expected results and effects

The project has been successful as we have achieved our goals and are now working towards commercialization of the glass. A patent application and planning of future scale-up projects with industrial partners is currently being carried out. Absolicon sells production lines for licensed mass production of our solar collectors, and we are also a subcontractor of the main components in the solar collectors. The cover glass is one of these components and having a self-developed glass to offer our customers will be a great advantage in terms of cost and quality as well as delivery security.

Planned approach and implementation

Project implementation has been very successful. The collaboration with the project parties and our complementary areas of expertise, resources and responsibilities has resulted in an efficient project procedure. The pandemic has caused some difficulties and caused an extended project, but overall the work has progressed well despite that.