Advancements in Solar Panel Technology: What to Expect in the Coming Years
If you’re like most homeowners, you likely have only a passing understanding of how solar panels function. For example, you know that they convert sunlight to electricity, but you may not understand the underlying process. You may also not have a firm grasp on the limitations of today’s solar panels and the reasons for them.
However, whatever your solar power knowledge level, there’s one thing anyone can understand: the technology is advancing quickly. Here are some of the solar panel technological advancements we expect to have a massive impact in the coming years.
The Arrival of Perovskite Cells
Right now, almost every commercially produced solar panel in the world relies on silicon-based solar cells. They’ve been the backbone of solar panel technology for decades. However, silicon solar cells aren’t easy to produce. Their production process is energy-intensive, and the cells themselves are easily damaged. Plus, despite decades of development and research, silicon solar cells still have an upper efficiency limit of about 29%.
As a result of silicon’s limitations, solar researchers have long looked for a viable replacement material. And at long last, it appears there’s one on the horizon. The material is perovskite. It’s a calcium titanium oxide mineral made of calcium titanate. Already, manufacturers expect it to become an integral part of future solar panel technology.
As a solar cell material, perovskite has much to offer. For one thing, it’s far more tolerant of defects than silicon. So, it should allow for the simplified production of solar cells. It’s also flexible, which may make perovskite-based solar cells more resilient in real-world use.
However, there’s one advantage that makes perovskites attractive above all others. It’s that, in research settings, solar cells using these materials have started smashing existing solar efficiency records. At the time of this writing, at least one perovskite-based solar cell has achieved an efficiency of 34.6%. That may not sound like much, but researchers believe that perovskite-based cells may reach efficiencies approaching 43% soon.
Bifacial Solar Panels
If there’s one thing virtually all current solar panels have in common, it’s that they’re one-sided. That means they only absorb sunlight striking a single face of the panel. That limits their power production, even with motorized solar tracking systems. After all, sunlight is diffuse and reflects in countless directions on its way to Earth’s surface. To capitalize on more of the sun’s rays, multiple solar panel manufacturers are now experimenting with bifacial panels.
Bifacial solar panels include solar cells capable of converting sunlight to electricity on both of their surfaces. That lets them increase energy production by capturing light reflecting off the ground and other nearby surfaces. Depending on the panel design and installation conditions, bifacial panels can yield up to 30% more power production than conventional models.
Self-Healing Solar Panels
Finally, self-healing solar panel technology is one of the solar energy advancements with the most significant potential. The reason for that is simple. It’s that current-generation solar panels lose an estimated .5% of their efficiency every year. That means any solar panel installation will see significant production decreases as it ages, extending system payback times. Most of the problem occurs due to the vulnerabilities to heat and humidity exhibited by silicon-based solar cells. Unfortunately, perovskite-based solar cells share similar vulnerabilities.
The good news is that researchers at Monash University have developed a solution to solar panel degradation. They used a specially developed healing agent to induce a process called defect passivation in perovskite-based solar cells. In effect, the healing agent enables defects in the perovskite to regenerate during each heating and cooling cycle.
That means the cells suffer degradation in the sunlight, but would regenerate at night as they cool. In testing, the panels began at an efficiency of approximately 25% and retained that efficiency after 1,000 hours of accelerated aging tests. When commercialized, the technology could make next-gen solar panels immune to age-related efficiency losses.
Local Solar Power Experts
For over 12 years, Solera Energy has been the undisputed leader in solar power solutions in Missouri. We’ve installed more residential solar power systems in the state than all our competitors combined. We also make every effort to remain on the cutting edge of solar technology, so you get the latest and greatest solutions.
We offer free consultations if you’re interested in exploring your home’s solar potential. We can even help you navigate available tax credits and incentives that reduce the cost of a new solar system. So, if you want a new solar power system installed in Springfield, MO, call our team today!
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