80% efficient, flexible solar panels?!?!
February 1st, 2008
Apparently! The Idaho National Laboratory has announced a new technology that uses nanotech to create a flexible, highly efficient solar panel. And at 80% efficiency, they aren't kidding when they say highly efficient. Most panels clock in at about 40%. I've seen a few reports of experimental systems that have approached 70% but that are extremely complex and expensive. This technology, apparently, is actually quite cheap. In addition, it can convert infrared radiation to electricity as well, so it will even produce power at night.
There's just one problem though: they have no way of harnessing the electricity created. Light and heat are converted to electrons, but we don't yet have a way of collecting those electrons. Oops. But apparently that's in the works and should hopefully be coming soon.
Even still, this is a huge breakthrough. It brings us almost to the point of cheap, limitless power. Use this stuff in the roofs of electric/hybrid cars and trucks and you'll get a pretty decent range extension and the ability to charge (probably slowly) even in places without power. Cover the roof of your house with this stuff and you'll probably be pretty close to being able to go completely off grid. Since it will generate power 24/7 (though much more during the day)
Deep Patel wrote:
on Saturday, February 2nd 2008 at 12:20 a.m.
Just like any technology (computers, cell phones), it just keeps getting thiner, more efficent and less costly. There are companies such as nanosolar who are already producing thin film solar cells. The 80% efficent cells are still a long way from a commerical product, although a great step in the right direction.
-Deep Patel
http://www.gogreensolar.com
Henry Switzer wrote:
on Saturday, May 17th 2008 at 12:17 p.m.
Solar power is the wave of the future for sure. I have well over 1/2 of my household running on solar powered devices, including panels on the roof, and a large array of light illumination products in my yard. I also have a large wind turbine in my yard which so far has cut down my electricty costs by 50%.