Shadows Blocking Solar Power Removed
Shadows have become the enemy of solar energy for about as long as it has been around. Called cannibalizing, moving shadows can eat into the generated energy of solar cells, causing a reduction in output. A shadow’s effect on solar power can be so strong that the shadow casts from a stick alone could reduce a string of solar cell’s generated energy to zero. This has been one the largest disadvantages to supplying solar energy. Unfortunately, many of the solar panels that claim to be resistant against shading have proven unsuccessful when it comes to maintaining the production of solar energy at or around full power.
However, new technology may have changed the way that we look at shadow’s influence on solar power forever. Australian National University researchers have developed a new design that is able to fight shadows and will even lower the cost of producing solar power.
Their design features curved, mirror-like solar concentrators that focuses light directly onto photovoltaic cells in order to generate electricity. The truly innovative aspect of this design is that even if shade were to fall across a large number of solar cells the newly designed more compact solar panels are able to preserve power at full power. Though the technology was at the outset developed in Australia, it will be produced in California and either China or India.
Since the concentrated light coupled with the amplified cell production calls for smaller panels, there will be a higher level of efficiency. This will inevitably decrease the costs of producing solar power. The new design goes a long way towards making solar power more affordable and available to the average person. The idea is eventually to be able to sell the system for under or around $1,000.00 in most countries, however, this new technology has a little while to go before it reaches mainstream. Although as there is a greater push toward renewable energy sources and “green” living, the availability of solar energy to the average householder may be just around the corner.
With the increased number of governments financing this new technology of around $1.8 million, support for this new innovative system is gaining. As more countries are starting to realize the possibilities of alternative power there is a good chance that the financing of this technology will increase in the years to come.
