Photocatalytically active TiO(2)-films show a high reflectivity, this makes them inapplicable for use in self-cleaning solar cover sheets. To resolve this problem, an antireflective system with a top coat of SnO(2) is used. Glass samples coated with such a layer system have a better transmission than commercially available self-cleaning glasses. A composition with SiO(2) barrier/TiO(2) underlayer/SnO(2) top layer presents better degradation rates than pure TiO(2) with a barrier layer. The 3-layer system also possesses lower water contact angles after irradiation and a prolonged hydrophilicity. The properties of the layer system depend on the partial oxygen pressure used during the reactive sputtering of the TiO(2) film and the thickness of the TiO(2)-layer as well as of the SnO(2)-layer. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.