Overview

Solar water heater (SWH) rely on efficient absorber coatings. However, commercial technologies, including Flat Plate Solar Collectors (FPSCs) and Evacuated Tube Collectors (ETCs), typically use coatings developed through expensive and time-consuming processes. This has created a high demand for low-cost, environmentally friendly techniques to produce high-quality solar selective absorber (SSA) coatings offering high solar absorptance. To address this, the Centre for Solar Energy Materials at ARCI developed a novel sprayable nanocoating. This technology utilizes an ambient-curable spinel nanocomposite paint that can be very easily applied Cu\Al or SS fins within a short period using an automated spray system. This innovation provides the Indian solar water heater/dryer industry with significant economic and environmental advantages. 

Key Features

  • Suitable for an easy sprayable coating technique with curable at ambient temperature
  • Solar absorptance: ~95%; Spectral emittance: ~0.25
  • Thermal stability: < 200 °C 
  • High corrosion resistance ( > 200 hrs withstand in the salt spray test (ASTM B117))
  • Good mechanical stability (>4H pencil hardness)  

  • Cost-effective and Scalable for industrial application

     

 

 

Intellectual Property Development Index (IPDI)

Level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Description Basic concepts and understanding of underlying scientific principles Shortlisting possible applications Research to prove technical feasibility for targeted application Coupon level testing in simulated conditions Check repeatability/consistency Prototype testing in real-life conditions Check repeatability/consistency Reassessing feasibility (IP, competition technology, commercial) Initiate technology transfer Support in stabilizing production
Status

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