Solar panels create free power from sunlight in an eco friendly manner. The sunlight is converted into electricity with zero emissions and no maintenance. The solar panel systems have a collection of individual silicon cells and when the light particles (photons) strike the surface of thin silicon wafers, electric current is produced. Around 17 volts of current could be produced using a 12 volt panel containing 36 cells which could be increased by attaching multiple solar panels in parallel. No shadow should fall on solar panel array during highest sunlight hours. Shading not only reduces its performance but can also damage it. Temperature and wind fluctuations are also harmful for solar panels working. A perfect location is required to mount the solar panel to obtain maximum output from its performance.
Need for a change
Though using solar panels is a cheap source of producing electricity, but solar panels are not at all reliable. They are easily affected by fluctuations in temperature, severe weather conditions, lightning etc. Here are some points you might need to know in order to fix your solar panel. Sometimes, there is a drop in voltage coming out of the system during hottest part of the day. This phenomenon is termed as “Fading in the Heat”. Moreover, purchasing copper for wiring and cables is an expensive deal.
Whatâs next?
1. HyperSolar concentrator
Whatâs new?
Most expensive parts of a solar panel are the solar cells, therefore, we can reduce the price of solar panel system if same amount of electricity could be produced using less cells. We can do this by making fewer cells absorb more light. This could be done by applying a clear coating of solar concentrators to the surface of the panel and this is done using HyperSolar. The prototype of this concentrator is ready in thin and flat form. A California Based company has created it. The concentrator will be placed on top of the existing solar cells.
What difference will it make?
Every sheet of HyperSolar contains optical concentrators that are capable of gathering sunlight from various angles. These concentrators have a photonics network that channels light from all collection points. This efficient network will also able to split the sunlight into diverse spectrum ranges, so that exact ranges can be sent to specific cells designed to absorb them.
Problems
The system is not feasible yet and more research work is required to make it practical and commercial.
2. Solar Magic Technology
Whatâs new?
Solar Magic Technology, developed by National Semiconductor promises to increase solar panel efficiency by 20 percent. This is done by using solar magic chip that work for range of potential inconsistencies and maintains PV solar panel efficiency during shade, dust, improper panel slope, and even during defective panel design.
What difference will it make?
It ensures steady voltage and current to run through every solar panel in the collection, which enhances the total energy production. In means, with the equal quantity of sunlight coverage, a solar panel array will be generating significantly more amount of free solar electricity.
Problems
The major drawback of Solar Magic Technology is that though it enhances the performance of solar panels but it is dependent on external factors like sunlight, temperature, humidity, etc. moreover the cost of producing one watt of energy amounts to 12 cents.
3. SolarEdge uses chip to boost solar panel output
Whatâs new?
SolarEdge is another technique to improve solar panel productivity by 25 percent. It will help is solving the problems that arises due to partial shading and also while converting direct current into alternative current for households. SolarEdge has a junction box that is fitted to solar panels with an integrated circuit to fix voltages coming from panels. It has a web program for observing performance of solar panels. The junction box works with SolarFdgeâs inverter where it enhances the conversion of direct current to alternating current. The inverter also collects information regarding temperature and output of each and every panel.
What difference will it make?
By monitoring the performance of solar panels we can compare them with neighboring panels, understand reasons for their degradations and could find out ways to solve it. According to the companyâs estimate the SolarEdge technology has successfully increased the solar panelâs output by 20 to 30 percent. This technology can be used with both large scale solar panels as well as home solar panel systems. The company is working to accommodate junction boxes with solar panels at the time of panel production instead of fitting them afterwards.
Problems
Huge investment is required first to install solar panels and then to enhance its performance using SolarEdge junction equipment.
