Moving Shadows – the Enemy of Solar Power
Shadows have become the enemy of solar energy for about as long as it has existed. Called cannibalizing, moving shadows can eat into the generated energy of solar cells, causing a decrease in output. A shadow’s effect on solar power can be so severe that the shadow casts from a stick alone could reduce a string of solar cell’s generated energy to nothing. This has been one the largest disadvantages to providing solar power. 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 effect on solar power forever. Australian National University researchers have developed a new design that is able to combat 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 ground-breaking aspect of this design is that even if shade were to fall across a multitude of solar cells the newly designed more compact solar panels are able to maintain power at full capacity. Though the technology was initially developed in Australia, it will be produced in California and either India or China.
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 reduce the costs of producing solar power. The new design goes a long way towards making solar power more affordable and accessible to the average person. The thinking 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 becomes mainstream. Although as there is a greater push toward renewable energy sources and “green” living, the availability of solar energy to the average household 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 radical system is increasing. As more countries are starting to understand the possibilities of alternative energy there is a good chance that the financing of this technology will increase in the years to come.
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