Solar technologies have evolved a lot since they first debuted in the 1960s. While in the past solar photovoltaic (PV) was considered something of the future. Today, the technological breakthroughs have positioned the booming industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, new developments in solar power technology are promising to the industry’s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The researchers were looking for ways to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of solar cells – the backbone of the solar power system. A solar array consists of hundreds, sometimes thousands of solar cells, which individually convert solar radiation into electric currents. The average solar cell is about 15% efficient, which means that nearly 85% of the sunlight shining on them is not converted to electricity. Therefore, scientists have constantly experimented with new technologies to accelerate this light acquisition and conversion process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light-sensitive nanoparticles.<\/strong> Recently, a team of scientists at the University of Toronto revealed a new type of light-sensitive nanoparticles called colloidal quantum dots, which are widely believed to provide a cheaper and more flexible material for solar cells. Specifically, the new materials use n-type and p-type semiconductors – but those semiconductors can actually function outdoors. This is a unique discovery since the previous designs were not capable of working outdoors and were therefore not a practical application for the solar market. The University of Toronto researchers found that n-type materials bind to oxygen – the new colloidal quantum dots do not bind to the air and can therefore maintain their stability externally. This helps to increase the ability to absorb solar radiation. Sheets using this new technology are found to be up to 8% more efficient in converting sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gallium Arsenide.<\/strong> Researchers at Imperial College in London believe they have discovered a new material – gallium arsenide \u2013 which could make solar PV systems nearly three times more efficient than the existing products on the market. Solar cells are called “tri-junction cells” and they are much more efficient, because they can be chemically altered in a way that optimizes their ability to absorb sunlight. The model uses sensor-controlled window blinds that can track sunlight along with a “light pipe” that leads the light into the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When most people think of solar PV systems, they think of them on the roof or mounted for use on an industrial scale. But researchers are exploring some unique solar applications that could promise to change the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Solar roads.<\/strong> Scientists are exploring ways to actually connect highways and roads with solar panels that will then be used to deploy large amounts of electricity to the grid. This would help overcome a huge hurdle to industrial-scale solar that might take up too much land. The solar road has appeared in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Floating solar<\/strong>. Another way to address large-scale solar-related land use concerns is to install solar power plants on the water’s surface, as more than 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Several researchers, including a French company called Ciel et Terre, are testing the technology. The company with established projects in France, Japan, the UK and other parts of the world are also testing projects including one in India and in California, US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Space based on solar energy.<\/strong> Scientists are reviving a technology first tested more than forty years ago in which satellites in space take in sunlight and convert it to microwave energy and then be re-illuminated. back to earth. This type of technology promises to capture significantly more sunlight (almost ninety percent) because satellites can be positioned to optimize round-the-clock light reception. India, China and Japan are investing strongly in these technologies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Solar technologies have evolved a lot since they first debuted in the 1960s. While in the past solar photovoltaic (PV)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4041,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[117],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-events"],"yoast_head":"\nNew solar application<\/h4>\n\n\n\n