Clean energy becomes a little cleaner

Cleanliness may be next to godliness, but it's also relevant for solar panel efficiency. "A dirty solar panel can reduce its power capabilities by up to 30 percent," says Seamus Curran, professor of physics at the University of Houston. Curran's team recently developed a nano coating that will help rectify this problem by keeping solar panels cleaner longer. The coating prevents the adherence and buildup of dust, pollen, and other pollutants that tend to build up on solar cells and reduce their efficiency. After years working on solar technology research, Curran recently founded the startup C-Voltaics, dedicated to bringing this and other solar efficiency technologies to market in upcoming years.