Italian solar module manufacturer FuturaSun has unveiled Silk Nova Pure, a new photovoltaic module series featuring an integrated anti-soiling glass technology designed to reduce dirt accumulation.
The technology, branded True Rays, is integrated into the module’s front glass during manufacturing rather than applied as a post-production coating. According to FuturaSun, embedding the functional layer into the glass enables the anti-soiling properties to remain effective throughout the module’s operating life without the degradation associated with conventional surface coatings.
“True Rays represents a lifetime anti-soiling solution because the functional layer is embedded directly into the glass surface during manufacturing, becoming an integral part of the glass rather than a top-applied coating,” the company’s CTO, Gianluca Coletti, told pv magazine. “This integration is designed to ensure very high durability and stable performance over time, supported by extensive testing including accelerated ageing like damp heat exposure, humidity-freeze cycling, salt spray, abrasion and sand resistance.”
The material has also achieved Grade 0 adhesion, 4H hardness, and has withstood more than 15,000 cleaning cycles without loss of photocatalytic properties,” he went on to say. “Based on these results, the solution is positioned as a lifetime-of-module functionality, eliminating the need for reapplication and maintaining anti-soiling performance throughout the panel’s service life.”
The True Rays glass combines hydrophilic and photocatalytic properties. According to the manufacturer, the hydrophilic surface allows rainwater to spread evenly across the glass instead of forming droplets, improving the removal of dust and fine particles. Exposure to sunlight activates a photocatalytic process that breaks down organic contaminants such as bird droppings, biofilms and moss before they become firmly attached to the glass surface.
The technology was developed through a partnership with Irish surface technology company Kastus. Founded in 2014, Kastus commercializes smart glass surface technologies originally developed through research conducted at the Dublin Institute of Technology and Trinity College Dublin.
“Initially the technology was used as an anti-microbial solution for smart phones, laptops, kitchen appliances and automotive,” Coletti explained. “This is due to the fact that it is proven to kill over 99.99% of bacteria and viruses. The technology was then applied to PV panels where the hydrophilic and photocatalytic properties lead to improved organic breakdown, water runoff and ultimately cleaning panels with greater efficiency.”
FuturaSun said integrating the technology directly into the glass manufacturing process adds a dedicated surface functionalization step and additional quality control compared with standard front-glass production, but does not require any post-lamination treatment or field application. The company said the cost premium will depend on module format, production volume and glass configuration, and therefore has not disclosed pricing. It added that the additional manufacturing cost is primarily associated with the glass treatment process and is expected to decrease as production volumes increase.
The manufacturer said the technology is primarily intended for commercial and utility-scale projects, where relatively small improvements in annual energy yield can have a significant impact on project economics. It added that residential rooftop systems could also benefit from more consistent energy production and reduced cleaning requirements, particularly where roof access is difficult.
“Soiling remains one of the main contributors to performance losses in photovoltaic systems, particularly in environments exposed to dust, organic residues, atmospheric pollution and biological growth,” the company said. It added that reducing contaminant build-up on the module surface can help maintain light transmission, stabilize long-term energy yields and reduce cleaning frequency.
“The ability to identify and integrate technologies developed for other industries is an important driver of innovation,” said Coletti. “This partnership allows us to introduce into photovoltaics an advanced solution already validated in demanding sectors such as automotive, improving performance, reliability and energy production throughout the module’s lifetime. In photovoltaics, nominal power is only part of the story. What really matters is how much energy a module produces year after year.”
The company said commercialization of the Silk Nova Pure modules is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026 following certification of the various module configurations and completion of production planning. FuturaSun opened pre-orders during Intersolar Europe 2026 in Munich.
