If you're interested in building a solar energy panel, you may have heard some sun powered news about solar energy panels. Chinese manufacturers have taken the solar energy industry by storm, and their products have come down in price by more than half in the past decade. This is great news for the consumer, as it means lower up-front costs per kilowatt of energy generated. But what's the downside? And what about the environment?
Efficiency
Solar panel efficiency determines how much electricity a solar panel can generate. It depends on the composition of the panel, its electrical configuration, and its surrounding components. In general, the more efficient solar panels convert at least 20 percent of the sun's rays into electricity. In comparison, older panels were only 15 percent efficient. Now, however, solar panels have an average efficiency of over 20 percent. And that isn't bad.
The efficiency of solar panels has improved by about 0.5% annually over the past decade. This decline has resulted in a drop in up-front costs per kilowatt of energy generated. The Chinese are currently the industry's dominant manufacturers. The cost of recycling a solar panel is about 20 to 30 cents versus one to two cents per kilowatt of energy produced. Fortunately, the cost of going green is getting cheaper and easier than ever.
Cost
The cost of solar panels varies widely by state and brand. In general, the larger the solar panel system, the more expensive it will be. However, the average per-unit cost is lower with a larger system. Listed below are the main factors that determine the cost of solar panels. A system's size and brand can affect the price and overall quality. When considering your solar panel costs, make sure to research the many different options available.
First of all, the cost of a solar panel depends on the state where you live. Warm, sunny states require the largest solar panel system. Obviously, these solar systems will cost less per kilowatt-hour than their colder counterparts. Additionally, buying solar panels in bulk will reduce per-unit costs. While the initial cost of solar energy panels may seem high, they can be quite affordable once you know the underlying costs.
Efficiency of organic solar cells
Recent research has revealed that the efficiency of organic solar cells for solar energy panels can exceed 15%. This efficiency can be attributed to the high fabrication yield, or the number of devices that can be made without a single short circuit. The study has been published in the journal Nature Energy. The authors are Yongxi Li, a postdoctoral fellow, and Yue Qu, a doctoral student in electrical engineering.
To achieve this efficiency, researchers used two layers of organic solar cells, one able to absorb visible light and the other able to absorb near-infrared light. This technique required a breakthrough in the building process, allowing for the development of panels with an efficiency of about 15 percent. The layers were interconnected so that light could pass through while preventing the first cell from being damaged. The researchers also found a way to make the layers flexible, allowing them to be placed on curved surfaces.
Potential of perovskite semiconductors
A new layer of atom-thin material is allowing researchers to create solar energy panels with unprecedented efficiency. The new perovskite semiconductors can be stacked to maximize light absorption while protecting the most fragile parts from excessive heat or light. The team has already demonstrated a prototype with an efficiency of 80 percent or higher, a world record. To prove the perovskite semiconductor's potential for solar energy panels, researchers developed a new method of testing it.
By tuning perovskite materials to the correct bandgap, they can produce electricity. The bandgap measures the energy required to push an electron. Negatively-charged electrons attract a positively-charged nucleus. Atoms form molecules based on the number of electrons they contain. The outermost electrons of an atom are called valence band electrons.
Potential of nighttime solar power
Researchers from the University of California, Davis, have proposed a new technology to create a nighttime solar panel. The device produces 50 W under ideal nighttime conditions, just one-fourth of the amount of energy produced by a standard solar panel during the day. The technology could help off-grid residents avoid the costs of batteries and other energy-inefficient products. Aside from generating power, the device could also charge a cell phone or LED light.
A key challenge with conventional solar power is that it doesn't work during the night. Cloudy weather and dwindling daytime hours prevent the solar panels from working. In contrast, nighttime solar cells work by emitting light, instead of absorbing light. Although nighttime solar power is still in its infancy, researchers are optimistic that it could one day provide 10 percent of the power of solar panels, which can produce about a third of the same energy during the daytime.
