Innovations in Solar Technology
Apr 18th, 2011 | By John | Category: Energy, Solar | Print This Article
Continuing research is focusing on improving and enhancing solar technology, and on finding ways to create the optimal alternative power source. The following selection represents recent solar power innovation and improvements for existing photovoltaic modules.
FUSION™ Solar Film
Developed by Genie Lens Technologies, this transparent film enhances the performance of photovoltaic panels. The polymer film contains microstructures that act in three ways to improve output: they prevent sunlight from being reflected off the panel’s surface; they redirect light to the semiconductors within the panel; and they effectively trap light within the panel to allow greater absorption by semiconductor materials. All three actions improve a solar panel’s ability to turn sunlight into energy.
The polymer film can be placed on the surface of existing solar panels or be installed during manufacture. Testing by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has established that the film can improve a solar panel’s power output by 10-12.5%. With ease of application, the FUSION™ film can provide immediate benefits to any solar energy user, even in areas with limited light or extended periods of diffused lighting or clouds.
Flexible Solar Panels
Lightweight, flexible solar film is useful for both powering a home or business and as chargers for personal electronic devices. PowerFilm Solar has developed a unique and durable product that is also available in waterproof form. The thin, flexible material of these panels is suitable for use on tents, marine vessels, campers, cars, houses and businesses.
PowerFilm specifically targets sectors that require lightweight, durable products. Recreational, automobile, marine and military uses are prevalent as are uses within the field of disaster emergency response. The company’s low cost manufacturing process and ease of installation demonstrate that flexible solar films are an excellent option for anyone seeking an alternative to traditional cumbersome photovoltaic panels.
The production process creates a roll of flexible solar collection material that can be integrated with solid or fabric surfaces, or it can be given its own backing material. The process begins with a roll of polymer substrate to which layers are added to create the company’s unique product. The finished product makes use of monolithic integration to collect light and provide power, eliminating the need to connect individual solar cells within each discrete section.
These types of panels are an excellent investment for anyone who requires electricity while in rural or off-road areas, or for homes or businesses looking to get off the grid.
Solar “Sea Urchins”
Empa’s Mechanics of Materials & Nanostructures Laboratory is developing a radical new electrochemical process to derive power from solar energy. The process begins with the creation of polystyrene microspheres that resemble the shape of sea urchins. The 3D nanostructures are filled with deposits of semiconductive material; in this case, zinc oxide is used to create nanowires within the shells.
Once the nanowires are created, the microspheres are removed and the zinc oxide nanowires are ready for use. These formations can be installed in solar cells in place of silicon or other semiconductive materials. The 3D structure provides more surface area for sunlight exposure and power production. Polystyrene and zinc oxide are less expensive than silicon, which is generally used in solar panels. Thus, this process can create less expensive, more efficient solar cells.
Other uses for the “sea urchin” nanowire structures are for the manufacture of LED lights and other optoelectronics.
MIT Discovers Thermo-chemical Solar Power
MIT researchers are working to develop a new method of deriving power from solar energy. Traditional solar panels use the sun’s light to create electricity. MIT’s thermo-chemical process traps the sun’s heat and converts it to energy, or stores it for future use. The current model uses ruthenium to trap and store heat, much like a battery. The heat is then released either as heat or as electricity by using a catalyst.
This form of solar power shows great potential for stability and long-lasting power. The solar battery is placed in the sun to charge, and then is used to power an appliance or piece of equipment. After use, the battery can be placed back in the sunlight to recharge. The portable aspect of this invention is an improvement over traditional installed solar panels.
While this project shows great potential, ruthenium is cost-prohibitive and the team is searching for a substitute to use in this process.
Carbon vs. Silicon Solar Cells
Current photovoltaic panels depend on silicon for light absorption and creation of solar power. As sizeable sheets of silicon are expensive to manufacture, solar panels are costly as well. Researchers are working on creating solar panels from another substance that is more abundant and less expensive: carbon.
Graphene, a form of carbon similar to pencil graphite, shows potential in capturing and releasing solar energy. However, the substance’s chemical properties create a “sticky” surface that bonds to anything it touches. Graphene sheets tend to adhere to anything they touch, including each other. Scientists are working to find a way to coat the sheets, preventing them from sticking to anything while allowing them to absorb the greatest possible amount of light.
As the project moves forward, scientists will integrate the coated graphene sheets into solar panels and determine the best method for extracting power from the absorbed light.
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Everybody talks about solar energy, but I haven’t heard anyone say how well solar works in areas of the country where winter means dark skies and lots of snow for months at a time. Is it really a solution?
It wouldn’t work so well because it is dark! Get a wind generator.
Actually, you would have to supplement only on those dark days. Wind, too, is intermittent. Most people who have success at alternative energy use combinations of solar, wind, generator and water. I live on the north side of a 14,000 footer in a deep mountain valley, I’m in shade between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. I am in the process of going off grid. I plan on 25% extra panels and 50% more battery storage to compensate. Just keep researching and know what you want before you start shelling out money. We bought a couple of those inexpensive Harbor Freight set-ups to aid in learning. (We have an RV we can use them in later.) We can study formulas and outputs until we are blue in face, but it really helps to be able to actually see how long something will run. It’s kind of like a baby… they will always look, touch, rattle to see if it makes noise, and then straight to the mouth to check taste. I learn faster if I use as many of my senses as possible, but will probably refrain from tasting my panels. ;D Don’t get discouraged, it can happen.
The best answer is to build your own magnetic generator. The second choice would be cosmic (tesla).
I have been interested in this idea for years. Is good information available on this subject? Can a magnetic generator be built large enough to charge a car battery? Can a beginner do this? are instructions available? Where does a person the magnets? Thank you for your attention?
Grist I researched the Magnetic generators and they will sell you plans to build these things but nowhere do they tell you how much wattage or volts these things put out,In my opinion if they worked >someone would be building them and selling them BUT THEY DON’T,, and also telling everyone how much energy they produce so far I have not seen any of this..
I have never seen any articles on magnifying the sun’s ray to create more heat while the sun is shining, converting/storing as electricity and using when the sun is not shining. Is information available on this? Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
wm grist, We have had similar technologies for some time now. Apparently this company has actually put some of these technologies together. Have you ever used one of those flat plastic magnifiers that have little “V shaped” grooves in them? I think they are generally referred to as Fresno Lenses. (SP) They can already stop or reflect all or some of the light bands. Just think of this film “gathering” light, from more angles than just straight on (like a Fresno lens), and then not allowing it to reflect back out (like a one way mirror) of the panel, but bouncing it around until it is all absorbed. This is obviously a lay-person explaination, but I hope it helps.
Why don’t they look at using the Fusion solar film with the graphene to take care of the “sticky” issue?
Why does sun or stellar light always have to produce electricity? When I saw this article it excited me because in my mind … I am no scientist and have no knowledge of how these things work, however, I have an imagination. I have imagined this…..maybe someone can say I’m ridiculous or wow, hmm. I see a round structure (what you mentioned aboved struck a core), made of crystal or maybe this film type stuff, but this structure by its cuts or the magnification ability of its material (such as magnifying glass) most probably it would have layers of material, some to direct light rays, some to magnify light rays, some with reflective power, but all rays from sun in day and stars at night, would be directed and magnified at one point in the center of the sphere. Once all rays hit the central point, they would all be reflected out in all directions. This may have to be captured, I don’t know, but effect would be illumination with no electricity, just the bending and reflection of light. That would eliminate the need for lots of electricity.
Forget solar,ITS TOO EXPENSIVE,, tap the 50 volts DC CURRENT coming off your land based phone line.
hello,BEN – I READ YOUR COMMENT, BUT WHATDO YOU MEAN BY TAPPING YOUR 50 VOLT -HOME Based phone line.
Ben from Texas, That’s cute and illegal! I also think you may be misinformed about the phone voltage. I don’t think it’s high enough to do any good. You can’t run 50 volts DC on tiny hair sized wires. Then you have to deal with the fact that DC degenerates over distances, etc. Besides all that, most people have given up their land lines.
Build a steam boiler and put a 10 watt belt driven generator on it..Wood water,generator ,steel boiler,just make sure you put several pop off valves to relieve excess pressure..It works on the same principle as a ”pressure cooker” except you use the escaping steam to spin a generator..
We got a Sun Oven . That’s a neat idea and it really works! All you need is a little sunshine and you’re good to go. It even works on cloudy days. Hot enough to cook beef stew and biscuits! My wife got a great deal too at http://www.shelfreliancesanantonio.com/jmp/jmp_sunoven.php. Not only do they sell the oven we also bought a lot of freeze dried stuff from them. Love the freeze dried pineapple and the cheese!!! Hmm…, we’ll have to try to make pizza in my Sun Oven next time.
They are great, but if they are too pricey for you, there are patterns on the net for making your own, and they work great, too.
Correction,in my above comment,that’s a NorthStar 10,000 Watt belt driven generator head also 2,900watt and 5,500watt,generator heads.They can be bought at NorthernTool.com
I have a 1927 log cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills. I’m in the process of rebuilding it. I would love a comprehensive solution for making it off the grid. We have wood for heat and a well for water. Is there an ultimate refrigeration system? Ultimate power source? Ultimate guide?