Solar technology is getting refined by researchers in the field. A new method has been discovered to construct silicon solar cells which requires only a fraction of the material used for typical solar cells.
Some American researchers have successfully developed innovative and flexible silicon solar cells, having wiring system that uses only 1 percent of what normal solar cells uses.
The aim is to create nano-thin solar cells that can be incorporated into pervasive technology such as clothing. The immediate result of this new approach is that solar panels will become cheaper as well as more accessible to install.
The use of micron-sized wires ( a micron is equal to a millionth of a meter) in comparison to previous wire technology. This one can be integrated to the technology. According to Michael Kelzenberg, a spokesperson for California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, the aim is to make silicon solar cells more flexible and cost effective.
The due to sky rocking oil prices and alarming threat of climate change solar cells have in the recent years, had a high demand. The solar cells are a perfect substitute for fossil fuel in the provision for electricity.
There are already many companies engaged in producing thin-film solar cells with organic materials such as polymers. However, thin-solar cell technology by Germany’s Q-Cells and Japanese’s Sharp Corp are yet less performing in contrast to conventional silicon cells in producing electricity.
The use of only 1/100th of contemporary materials required to produce conventional solar cells will according to, Kelzenberg be the key to unlock cost efficiency in developing solar cells. Yet, the shortcoming is the fragility of the material. It will be much harder to install this technology, although that efficiency will be more than 15 percent superior to typical solar cell used today, installation cost might increase.
The focus on developing solar cells with inorganic materials that are more flexible is also in research at the University of Illinois Urbana Campaign and led by Professor John Rogers. According to him inorganic materials are for the at the moment less, performing, reliable and standardized.
John Rogers, team did last year announce the creation of thin solar arrays, which are highly flexible that can even be rolled unto a pencil. They are also sufficiently transparent so that they can be used to tint windows on cars and buildings. The thin solar cells are also bendable like plastic and elastic just like a rubber band.
According to Rogers, many rigid utility-scale modules could be swapped to this more flexible technology. Thin solar technology will bring solar technology closer to the public as both cost and flexibility of the material becoming favourable.
Main Source: InstalBiz
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