Cheaper Solar Energy on the Horizon Photovoltaic devices (solar panels) are used to tap the energy of the sun converting it into electricity. The technology allows for a green, unlimited, perpetual energy source that can replace fueling needs as fossil fuels are used up. So why is this amazing technology not used more often? It is too expensive. The costs of solar panels make them not worth the investment financially (tax breaks placed aside). However, companies and research facilities have been looking into cheaper more efficient solar panels that can make the technology more cost-effective. Here are three new technologies that are reducing solar energy costs:
Organic Panels Organic Panels don’t have vines growing on them if that is what you had it mind. The ‘organic’ refers to the compounds that the panels are made out of. Traditionally panels are created from silicon which requires that the panels be made of high purity crystals of the element which are produced in high temperatures under vacuum conditions. The high costs of traditional panel production are passed on to the final price of the solar panels making them over-expensive. However, a more cost-effective technique involves constructing photovoltaics out of organic compounds making what is essentially a plastic solar cell. Organic semiconducting materials such as polymers are dissolved into the consistency of ink. The ink is then ‘printed’ over a large area in a super thin layer which then works effectively as a solar cell. Scientists are focusing on one possible issue of arranging the polymer molecules in such a thin layer. An advanced structural probe technique is used to manipulate how the molecules of the two different polymers of the layer pack together creating ordered pathways or
nanowires which electric charges can run along. As this method is further realized the efficiency of plastic panels will increase dramatically. Plastic panels are expected to hit the market between 20182023.
Hybrid Panels In the same way that organic panels are making use of different materials for solar panels research facilities are looking into the possibility of hybrid organic/inorganic panel use in solar technology. This hybrid perovskite material is five times cheaper than current thin-film solar cells. The material also can convert fifteen percent of sunlight into electricity which is comparable to current solar cells. This means that costs will lower without sacrificing efficiency. Hybrid material can also be layered on top of itself as the electrons jump relatively far. The deeper the panels the more electricity generated (to a certain point). As understanding of these solar cells increases efficiencies will continue to rise (hopefully to 20 percent). The material is also light weight and flexible on plastic and can be created using cheap processes. On a creative note the hybrid material can be created in different translucent colors which can be incorporated into architecture.
‘Lego’ Bricks Rather than a new material this innovation deals with the stud style of solar panels. Thickness has been an issue with solar panels. The thicker panels able to convert a higher percentage of sunlight like traditional phonosolar 300 watt panels are also very expensive while the thinner panels are cheaper but have lower efficiency rates. Solar panel design efficiency can be improved as much as 22 percent by covering the surface with aluminum studs that are able to bend, trapping light inside the absorbing layer. Through a microscope these studs fight together much like LEGO bricks, hence the name. The bricks interact with passing light causing it to change course so the photons pass deeper into the solar panels and more energy is captured as a result. Made of aluminum these bricks can make up half of the cost of a solar panel and are low cost to produce making thin solar panels efficient and cost-effective. AS the technology develops the solar cells would be able to cover curved surfaces and be applied to numerous products and locations. Photo Credit: Activ Solar, Green MPs, Bart Speelman