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The Future Direction of Solar Energy Technology

The future of solar energy

When solar energy was first tapped for consumer usage during the mid 1960s, the technology was so primitive, the efficiency was so low and the cost was so high. Solar energy being a substitute for fossil fuels was always a thing of the future for a long time. Today, the technological breakthroughs and huge investments have given the pole position to this industry to lead energy generation for the coming decades. For instance in 2004 the United States attracted only $6 billion, while over the past 5 years the investments attracted are close to $50 billion per year.

In this article we will see some of the important technological breakthroughs that promise further reduction in cost of production and quicker break-even times.

Advances in Solar Cell Technology

It goes without saying that researchers are constantly working on ways to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Photovoltaic systems. If you check solar energy news regularly, you will get to know something innovative is being developed every other day. The significance of those innovations mostly depends on the efficiency achieved by the panels. On an average a photovoltaic solar cell is 15% efficient, which means only 15% of the sunlight that hits the panel is converted in to solar energy, while the remaining 85% is either reflected or dissipated as heat. Therefore the focus area of most scientists is to increase the light captured by the panel and to store that energy produced. Some of the key innovations over the last few years are

  1. Light-Sensitive Nanoparticles: Researchers in the University of Toronto’s Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering have designed and tested a new class of solar-sensitive nanoparticles which can fundamentally change the landscape of solar power generation. The researchers have named these nanoparticles as colloidal quantum dots, which when commercialized will be far cheaper and also flexible. The flexibility makes it easier to trap more sunlight. These quantum dots are 8% more efficient than conventional panels.
  2. Gallium Arsenide: Researchers at Imperial College University in London have discovered a new material that could possibly make photovoltaic systems three times more efficient. However, the research is still in its early stages. The material used is gallium arsenide, using which they have developed ‘triple junction cells’ , which can capture a lot more sun light than conventional PV cells. Their model uses sensor-driven ‘light pipes’ that guide maximum light into the system.
  3. Solar Panels with Built-In Batteries: Today most of the solar energy generated is ‘use it or lose it’ type with very little stored in batteries. Most of the power generated goes directly to the grid and has to be used right away. This also makes solar panels installed in homes almost worthless during night times. In a project funded by the United States Department of Energy, researchers from Ohio State University have developed Built-In Batteries for the solar panels. These batteries are 20% more efficient and 25% cheaper than the best batteries available in the market. These batteries are built right in to the solar panels instead of the standalone systems that are used now.
  4. Solar Panel Implementations: It is not just roof tops or acres of installed solar panels that can generate energy. Researchers are also coming up with new implementation techniques. European countries like Netherlands have implemented solar roadways, saving on land usage. French and English companies have developed floating solar systems, that float on water reservoirs and water bodies. These industrial scale floating solar panels, saves land usage and also reduces evaporation loss of water.

We are living in exciting times, over the next decade we might witness a tremendous explosion of Solar energy installations.

What do you think?

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