In addition to conventional photovoltaic glass, there are also some functional photovoltaic glasses.
1. Tinted Glass
A. Features: By coating or doping with metal oxides, it presents different colors (such as blue, green, and gray).
B. Application: BIPV building curtain walls, which balance aesthetics and power generation functions.
2. Self-Cleaning Glass
Self-cleaning glass refers to the application of a special coating on the surface of the glass, which makes it difficult for dust or dirty liquids (including water-containing and even oil-containing liquids) to adhere to the surface of the glass or can be easily washed away by water (or rain). Thus, the surface of the glass is very easy to keep clean, reducing the trouble of cleaning the glass surface. It can also save the increasingly scarce water resources.
A. Features: The surface is coated with photocatalytic (such as TiO₂) or hydrophobic coatings to reduce dust accumulation and lower maintenance costs.
B. Application: Photovoltaic power stations in deserts and highly polluted areas.
3. Flexible Glass
Flexible glass is an ultra-thin glass substrate that achieves the property of being repeatedly bent through physical or chemical treatment. Its core technologies are reflected in the ultra-thin process and surface strengthening treatment [2], and are mainly applied in fields such as foldable screen mobile phones, flexible solar panels and smart wearable devices. This material outperforms traditional organic materials in terms of light transmittance (over 90%) and surface hardness (up to 7H)
A. Features: Ultra-thin (≤1mm), bendable, suitable for flexible solar modules.
B. Applications: Portable solar energy equipment, curved BIPV.
