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Solar Panels have just taken a Step Forward

For many years, researchers have been looking for ways to improve cost-effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells. The solar cells are about fifteen per cent efficient, which means that eighty five per cent of the sunlight is lost. Therefore, scientists have been testing new technologies to increase light capture and conversion.

Abu Dhabi researchers, in a why wasn’t this thought of earlier moment, have come up with a low-cost machine that utilize solar panels effectively by breaking light from the sun in its component colors.

The device takes the visible and infrared spectrums of light and divides the sunlight into its major spectral constituents. This facilitates solar cell layering where each coloured ray is focused on solar panel that convert light at maximum efficiency.

According to Carlo Maragliano, a PhD student in engineering and the lead author of the research, the new device constitutes a prism and lens. The prism separates the various wavelengths of sunlight while the lens focuses the sunlight that can be utilized to harness large amount of sun energy.

Traditionally, photovoltaic cells covert light energy into electricity by the help of silicon. However, the sun’s wavelengths from the invisible light spectrum cannot be absorbed and the photovoltaic cells poorly absorb green and blue wavelengths. However by layering the solar cells and breaking the light into its spectrum, a large amount of electricity can be derived from the shorter wavelength colours. Since the device is made from plastic materials, it will be cheap and mass produced.

Matteo Chiesa, another author of the article and a mechanical and material expert based at Masdar Institute, layering solar cells enhance the effectiveness of the cells, and focusing sunlight generates more electricity.

The amount of energy that reaches the earth surface is enormous. All the Earth’s natural reserves of oil, natural gas , and coal is equal to just few days of sunshine energy. While deserts get more sun than other areas, most regions receive enough sunlight to make sustainable energy practical. A large number of countries are turning to solar power production to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels as stated in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Each state is supposed to set out its emission reduction strategies. For instance, the United Arab Emirates has submitted that it will produce at least seven percent of its energy requirements from the sunlight by 2020.

According to Zeineb Abdmouleh, a scientist based at Qatar University, the new device will need further examination to ensure it is well adapted to the dusty and hot conditions in the Gulf. She specifically note that the type of the plastic used to make the device bends when exposed to prolonged sunlight.

Nevertheless, the researchers prefer plastic to other types of material because of the low cost of the device and hope it will attract more people interested in sustainable agriculture and sustainability in developing countries. The next step is looking for fabricating custom-made solar cells and test with optical element,” said Maragliano. He added that the researchers need to gather more information to get the best materials combination for an energy mass production.

With the new device, solar energy can be used to support sustainable Agriculture in various ways, increasing self-reliance, saving money and reducing pollution. It will be more efficient to remote locations . The device does not need moving parts and fuel and it more convenient to run.

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