Power generation using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is the foremost step towards carbon emissions neutrality. However, factors like soiling, reflection, shade, humidity, the panel’s orientation, and precipitation decrease the power generation ability of PV panels. The reflection of sunlight and dust accumulation over photovoltaic panels significantly decreases its efficacy. Currently, robotic and manual cleaning solutions are widely used to remove soiling from solar panels, which may cause damage to PV panels. Self-cleaning of PV panels can be achieved by making the surface either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. Surfaces are termed hydrophobic once the water contact angle (WCA) is more than 90°, while surfaces are termed hydrophilic when WCA is less than 90°. This paper focuses on current developments in transparent anti-soiling and anti-reflective (AR) coating based on the glass application, emphasizing the solar industry. The basic principle of anti-soiling and AR coating with fabrication methods are described in detail. The effect of micro and nanomaterials like \({\text{TiO}}_{2}\) , \({\text{SiO}}_{2}, {\text{MgF}}_{2}\) , \({\text{ZrO}}_{2}\) , S \({\text{i}}_{3}{\text{N}}_{4}\) , \({\text{Al}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{3}\) , \(\text{ZnO}\) , and polymers like poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), polymethylhydroxysiloxane (PMHS), polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), plasma-polymerised fluorocarbon (PPFC), ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane (PFOTS), trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) are compared for obtaining reduced reflection, and minimal soiling of PV panels are studied. Finally, challenges like durability, mechanical integrity, and life expectancy of the coating are reviewed and discussed.