Developments In Efficient Solar Panels

National Semiconductor Corporation, through its SolarMagic technology, is working to make efficient solar panels by using solar optimizers to compensate for variations in solar panel efficiency due to debris on a panel, shade or aging. Any of these variations adversely affect the output of the entire panel array. Optimizers are tested to recover 57% of the power lost due to these factors.

Spectralab has developed an efficient solar panel by concentrating light to achieve 40.7% efficiency. This technology uses multi-junction solar cells that are more efficient than traditional single-junction solar cells. The solar energy collected is broken into chunks and converted more efficiently by multiple layers made up of highly efficient metals.

Westinghouse Corporation, in conjunction with Phototherm, is developing entirely new efficient solar panel materials made from glass beads, aluminum and copper strips, and high-tech plastics. Developers report 70-80% efficiency and, after the technology is fully developed, an electrical production cost of about $.04 per kilowatt hour compared to about $.10 per kilowatt hour for traditional commercial electricity. Many traditional solar cells carry a cost of about $1.00 per kilowatt hour, thus the importance of efficient solar panels.

Idaho National Laboratories is developing an efficient solar panel that is flexible as opposed to the rigid nature of traditional solar panels. This new technology is part of the nanotechnology revolution. Nanotechnology is the science of engineering particles and even machines no larger than a single cell. The term nanotechnology is derived from the nanometer scale. Through nanotechnology, efficient solar panels are being made by creating millions of tiny antennae that capture and convert 80% of the UV rays collected. These tiny antennae are embedded in fabric that can conform to any shape or configuration. Small amounts of UV rays are available at night, making this solar material the most efficient solar material to date.

References:

1. www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1329/
2. 247wallst.com/2009/03/19/buyout-for-more-efficient-solar-panels-from-national-semi-nsm/
3. www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/stateoftheart_m.php
4. www.hbci.com/~wenonah/new/nsolcel.htm

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