Xerocoat Receives Funding Award from Australian Government to Develop Anti-Soiling Coating Technology

Combines With XeroCoat Anti-Reflective Coating Technology for Increased Solar Energy Generation

XeroCoat, Inc., today announced that XeroCoat Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of XeroCoat Inc., has been awarded a grant from the Australian Government’s Climate Ready program to further develop its anti-soiling coating technology. This anti-soiling technology complements XeroCoat’s patented, high performance anti-reflective coating for the cover glass of solar modules. Together these technologies will deliver more light to the solar module, increasing energy output and making solar energy more affordable.

Solar modules lose energy output because of reflections and the accumulation of dust and dirt on their surface. The loss due to reflections is 4% at noon and increases to over 15% in morning and early evening hours. In dry regions the losses due to the build-up of dirt and dust can be 4 to 6% of the total energy output. Today solar module owners incur added costs to clean and restore the performance of their modules. Using this grant, XeroCoat will further develop and commercialize a coating technology which reduces the loss from reflections and substantially reduces the build-up of dirt and dust on solar modules. Together these features will increase the energy produced by solar modules and reduce their operating cost over the lifetime of the module.

XeroCoat was one of 19 companies to share in the AUD$16 million awarded in round two of the Climate Ready program. The funding for XeroCoat’s anti-soiling program, together with the Climate Ready grant, is close to AUD$2 million. The $75 million Climate Ready program, administered by AusIndustry, is part of the Australian Government’s Clean Business Australia initiative, a $240 million, four year partnership between government and industry to deliver energy and water efficient projects with a focus on energy and innovation.

About XeroCoat

XeroCoat is a Silicon Valley company that designs and manufactures a high-performing anti-reflective coating for solar energy systems. XeroCoat’s innovative and patented technology delivers greater solar energy affordability today by decreasing manufacturing costs for solar module makers and increasing energy returns for solar system owners. Founded in Queensland, Australia and headquartered in Redwood City, California, XeroCoat has facilities in Australia and the USA. XeroCoat has an international team of world-class optical materials and solar energy scientists and engineers who are focused on continuous innovation of coatings for the solar energy industry.

About AusIndustry

AusIndustry is an Australian government initiative that provides incentives to help Australian businesses conduct research and development, grow small businesses, take up new technology, undertake industry-specific manufacturing and production, and commercialize a new technology or venture. AusIndustry’s vision is to increase the prosperity of all Australians through internationally competitive and sustainable business.

About the Climate Ready Program

The Climate Ready program ($75m over 4 years) is a competitive grants program providing grants from $50,000 up to $5m on a matching funding basis to support research and development, proof-of-concept and early-stage commercialization activities to develop solutions to climate change challenges.

Source: XeroCoat