Start with the Mechanism
SolarEX offers two engineered surface pathways with distinct activation requirements and contamination profiles. Selecting the correct product requires a precise understanding of site conditions before application.
SolarEX Quartz — Passive SiO₂ Pathway
A transparent silicon dioxide film engineered for passive hydrophobic and oleophobic surface behavior. No UV activation is required. Quartz functions through surface energy modification, reducing adhesion of dust and non-organic particulates. Suitable across all irradiance zones, including high-latitude and low-UV environments.
SolarEX Titan — Active TiO₂ Pathway
A titanium dioxide coating that activates a photocatalytic mechanism under UV exposure. UV energy triggers generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which decompose organic, biological, and industrial surface contamination. UV availability is a functional prerequisite. Titan performance is strongest where sufficient UV exposure supports the active TiO₂ photocatalytic mechanism. Quartz is preferred where UV-independent passive performance is the better technical fit.
SolarEX Quartz — Frequently Asked Questions
Passive SiO₂ Pathway
What is SolarEX Quartz?
SolarEX Quartz is a silicon dioxide (SiO₂) surface coating applied as a transparent 100–150 nm thin film. It modifies surface energy to deliver hydrophobic and oleophobic behavior, reducing the adhesion of dust, particulates, and non-organic soiling on solar module glass. The film does not alter the visible optical spectrum and does not require any activation mechanism to function.
Does Quartz require UV irradiance to activate?
No. Quartz is a passive pathway. Its function is independent of UV availability, making it suitable for deployment across all geographic zones, including northern Europe, high-latitude installations, and sites with frequent cloud cover or low direct normal irradiance. This is a primary differentiator from the Titan TiO₂ pathway.
What contaminants is Quartz best suited for?
Quartz is best suited for environments where the dominant soiling mechanism involves inorganic particulates — wind-driven dust, pollen, mineral deposits, and airborne particulate matter. Its oleophobic properties also reduce adhesion of light hydrocarbon-based surface contamination. It is not optimized for heavy biological fouling or industrial organic deposition; Titan is the preferred pathway in those profiles.
Does Quartz affect optical transmittance?
The 100–150 nm SiO₂ film is optically transparent. At standard film thickness, the coating does not measurably reduce light transmittance through module glass under normal operating conditions. Any application process that results in uneven film deposition or excessive thickness may introduce localized optical effects; correct application technique is therefore essential.
Quartz — Application & Coverage
Application Details
Coverage Rate
Coverage is approximately 15–20 mL/m², though actual consumption is process-dependent and will vary based on application method, surface condition, ambient temperature, and operator technique. These figures support application planning and coverage estimation for technical and commercial project scoping.
Application Methods
Quartz supports two application routes: HVLP (high-volume low-pressure) spray application and cloth/wipe manual application. Both routes require a clean, dry, grease-free substrate prior to coating. HVLP is preferred for large-area field application. Cloth/wipe is appropriate for smaller installations or areas with restricted access.
Does Quartz eliminate the need for cleaning?
Quartz is an easy-clean coating that reduces soiling adhesion and supports longer cleaning intervals, faster washing, and lower cleaning burden. The optimal cleaning schedule is adjusted around site soiling rate, contamination profile, and O&M objectives.
✓ Reduces adhesion
✓ Lowers cleaning frequency
✓ Supports optimized O&Mot a no-clean solution
SolarEX Titan — Frequently Asked Questions
Active TiO₂ Pathway
What is SolarEX Titan?
SolarEX Titan is a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalytic surface coating formulated to decompose organic, biological, and industrial surface contamination through an active UV-triggered mechanism. Titan is an active pathway coating — its performance is contingent on available UV irradiance at the installation site.
Why does Titan require UV irradiance?
The TiO₂ photocatalytic mechanism is initiated when UV photons excite electrons in the titanium dioxide lattice. This generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) — highly oxidative radicals — at the coated surface. These ROS chemically decompose organic molecules in surface contamination. Without sufficient UV flux, the ROS generation rate is insufficient to drive meaningful contamination breakdown. UV availability is a functional requirement, not a performance variable.
What contaminants is Titan best suited for?
Titan is optimized for environments where the dominant fouling mechanisms include organic matter, biological growth (algae, biofilm, mold spores), and industrial atmospheric deposition with organic compounds. These are the contamination categories most susceptible to ROS oxidative decomposition. In environments dominated by inorganic mineral dust or particulate soiling, Quartz is the more mechanistically aligned selection.
What is photocatalysis in this context?
Photocatalysis is a light-driven chemical process in which a semiconductor material (TiO₂) absorbs photon energy to accelerate oxidative surface reactions. In the SolarEX Titan context, this results in the breakdown of organic molecules adsorbed onto the coated glass surface. The process is catalytic — the TiO₂ is not consumed — and continues as long as UV exposure is maintained. This is distinct from simple surface energy modification used in the Quartz pathway.
Titan — Superhydrophilicity & Site Suitability
What does superhydrophilic behavior mean for Titan?
Under UV exposure, Titan-coated surfaces exhibit superhydrophilic behavior — water spreads in a thin, even sheet rather than forming discrete droplets. This sheeting action facilitates rinsing and self-cleaning under rainfall or light washing. Organic residues decomposed by the photocatalytic mechanism are then more easily displaced by water.
Superhydrophilicity is UV-dependent. In prolonged low-UV periods, the surface may partially revert toward less hydrophilic behavior.
Where is Titan not the primary selection?
Titan is not the recommended primary pathway in low-UV environments, high-latitude installations, or sites with persistent cloud cover that significantly reduces UV flux to the module surface. In these conditions, the photocatalytic mechanism cannot operate with sufficient intensity to deliver its designed function. SolarEX Quartz is the appropriate selection in these contexts, given its UV-independent passive mechanism.
What does the Titan study show?
The Titan PV³ rooftop study measured +5.15% average performance improvement over a 360-day monitoring period with 15-minute interval data. The study also documented string-level results of +5.62%, +5.22%, and +4.62%, supporting Titan’s value for UV-sufficient PV sites with suitable contamination profiles.
Application & Process — FAQ
Correct application is essential for coating integrity, film uniformity, and long-term performance. The following questions address the most common application, process, and environmental considerations.
Surface Preparation
The module glass surface must be clean, dry, and free of grease, oils, and surfactant residues prior to coating application. Any contamination present on the substrate at the time of application will be encapsulated under the film and may impair bonding integrity. A thorough pre-clean using an appropriate, residue-free cleaning agent is mandatory.
Application Method
Quartz supports HVLP spray and cloth/wipe application routes. Titan is applied through a controlled manual wipe/polish process on clean, dry, grease-free surfaces using a lightly moistened cotton or viscose cloth. Application method should follow the current product instructions.
Cure Time
Pre-cure is approximately 30 seconds following application. The coating achieves initial surface set rapidly, but the full cure cycle requires approximately 24 hours under ambient conditions. During the full cure period, the coated surface should not be exposed to heavy water contact, mechanical abrasion, or cleaning operations.
Temperature Limits
For Quartz, the module surface temperature at the time of application should not exceed approximately 30°C. For Titan, the recommended ambient temperature range during application is approximately +5°C to +25°C. Applications outside this range should be reviewed with the SolarEX technical team prior to deployment.
Performance, Evidence & Claims
SolarEX performance references are based on validated studies, controlled tests, field observations, and commercial models. Together, they support product selection, pilot planning, ROI modelling, and customer-specific deployment decisions.
+5.15% — Titan Rooftop Study
This figure refers to a study-specific performance result recorded in a controlled rooftop study comprising 63 modules monitored over 360 days using 15-minute interval data capture. The result supports Titan evaluation for UV-sufficient PV sites and provides a strong empirical reference for commercial value modelling.
~10% — Quartz Scandinavia Study
This figure references a test-specific result from a 6-month controlled study in a Scandinavian environment. The result demonstrates Quartz’s value in a Scandinavian operating context and supports positioning for passive, UV-independent soiling control.
~147-Day Europe Payback
This is a model-based estimate derived for a European installation scenario using defined assumptions regarding energy pricing, cleaning frequency reduction, and performance uplift. The model demonstrates the structure of a payback scenario using defined European assumptions and provides a basis for customer-specific ROI modelling.
Middle East Cleanliness Reference
The Middle East reference documents visible cleanliness improvement in a high-dust, high-irradiance operating context and supports Quartz positioning for mineral-soiling environments.
How SolarEX Creates Value
The following table summarizes the boundaries of SolarEX product claims in a precise and unambiguous format. This is the correct reference for procurement language, partner communications, and technical specification documents.
Still Need a Site-Specific Answer?
A SolarEX technical review connects your site conditions, contamination profile, UV availability, and commercial objectives to the correct coating pathway and implementation plan.
SolarEX — Surface Engineering for Photovoltaic Glass
