PPG data sheet highlights SOLARPHIRE AR anti-reflective glass improvements

Solarphire AR and 2XAR glasses can now achieve solar transmittance of up to 96.3 percent in the visible and near-infrared bands of the solar spectrum – from 400 to 1,100 nanometers – which enables photovoltaic components to collect and concentrate solar energy more efficiently.

Solarphire AR glass, which has solar transmittance of 93.6 percent in a 3.2 millimeter thickness, is manufactured with PPG’s highly durable, proprietary, anti-reflective coating on one surface of a Solarphire PV photovoltaic glass substrate. Crystalline-silicon module manufacturers that replaced their units’ cover plates with Solarphire AR glass reported typical power output increases of up to 5 watts.

Solarphire 2XAR glass features PPG’s anti-reflective coating on both sides of a Solarphire PV glass substrate. With solar transmittance of 96.3 percent, double-coated Solarphire 2XAR glass may help even more than Solarphire AR glass to make concentrated solar photovoltaic (CSP) modules operate more efficiently.

To achieve their best performance, Solarphire AR and 2XAR glasses should be heat-strengthened or tempered. Stock sheets are available in sizes up to 72-by-90 inches and can be cut and heat-treated by glass fabricators. Solarphire AR and 2XAR glasses are available in thicknesses of 2.5, 3.2, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 millimeters.

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