The Future of Solar Energy, Directing the Sun In the field of solar energy the future has been all about increasing the efficiencies the efficiencies of solar panels. The efficiency of conventional, commercial solar panels is around 21.5 percent while more advanced tech which is not commercially produced reaches fifty percent or even eighty. This technology has included curved mirrors or studs on the panels. However, another focus beyond the conversion rate of the solar panels is directing more light to the solar panel. A project routed in this aspect of solar technology was created by Rawlemon a German firm. Ralemon created a powerful lens by filling a giant glass ball with water. Very similar to a magnifying glass the ball concentrates the light that enters through it and then directs the light wherever you want it to go. The ball can swivel to track the sunlight entering through it and direct it toward solar panels behind it increasing the efficiency of sun collection by thirty percent. The technology while more simple is much more efficient than swiveling solar panels that follow the sun on their own.
The orb The giant orb can concentrate the light to a strong focal point which means not only can it direct light during the middle of the day but at night with the light reflecting from the moon. The orb can also collect light on cloudy days when there is no direct sunlight for the solar panels to absorb. The orb is cool to look at but may not do so well with residential homes who don’t want it attached to their roof, however, commercially there may be quite a few companies willing to purchase it. Since the technology already works the next step in the project is to figure out how to make fix any problem areas in the actual use of the product. Perhaps a translucent plastic could be used rather than glass to make it more durable and prevent it from cracking or shattering. If not possible a protective cover may be the next best option. The costs also need to be minimized on the product to make it a more attractive investment to potential buyers.
Solar panels While solar panels themselves, like Helios 255 watt panels, are continuing to increase in efficiency and convert more of the light that hits them into useable energy the flip side of solar development will be directing the sunlight and so far this orb
seems to be the most effective, if not the most conventional method to use. Companies like Ralemon lead the way in state-of-the-art ecological design. Their orb device features a micro dual axis tracker designed to have the lowest possible weather impact. Will this be the wave of future devices in solar technology? The field has certainly been evolving and solar panels are becoming more efficient and cost effective. With the evolvements in the tech and the tax incentives in various countries if you are looking into installing solar panels on your house now may be the time to do it. Photocredit: wikipedia, wikipedia, wikipedia