According to the researchers, double-sided panels and sun tracking systems will represent solar panels of the future.
The solar energy is one of the ways to save our planet and mankind from extinction. However, even the most modern photovoltaic panels are not that perfect. One of the main problems is limited amount of time during which panels are able to catch the sun energy. Most solar energy facilities have their solar panels fixed in one position. So when the sun starts to move around, the amount of solar energy that the panels can absorb, drops significantly.
Just to give you an understanding about how much energy we are failing to catch, we will give you one fact that will blow up your mind. Hope you are ready.
The amount of energy that the sun gives us in one hour is even more energy that the whole world needs for a year. Isn’t it amazing!
However, there is this one huge problem. So far we are not able to catch all the energy the sun radiates on our planet. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem. Many researchers agree that our best chance to finally start catching more of the sun light is double-sided photovoltaic panels that also can follow the sun beams.
Solar farms are going to change the future
We agree that not all the solar farms can redesign their existing solar panels structure. But more and more solar farms are being designed and built these days. So hopefully, these new solar facilities will be more advanced. Perhaps, some day soon we will not be dependent on fossil fuels to produce energy.
Types of solar panels
There are two kinds of solar panels that can angle to where the sun is going. One of the types is single-axis panels that angle from east to west and they have proven themselves highly effective comparing to panels with fixed position. The other one is dual-axis panels and they also can angle from east to west, but they also spin 360° to follow the sun beams throughout a year.
Double-sided solar panels
Double sided panels are equipped with photovoltaic cells on both sides. No wonder they are called like that. What is very unique about these panels is that except catching direct sunlight, they also catch light that mirrors back from the ground.
Solar panels with cells on both sides and panels that can “go” where to sun is going have been used for industrial purposes for quite a while. But the idea to combine them is a new and very promising one. According to the estimations, combining these two kinds of panels will increase the energy production by at least 30 percent. While also dropping the cost of produced electricity by 16 percent.
Tracking systems – what are they for?
To make sure these combined solar panels know where the sun is, a special tracking system will be needed. In other words, they will control the panels’ position throughout the day.
And while there are more exciting engineering breakthroughs in the solar energy field, this idea is quite simple. Since double-sided panels and tilting panels are being actively used right now.
Solar panel in the space
Since we are getting to the end of our article, we wanted to share a very mind-blowing exciting technology. The news about this technology had made it to the headlines all over the world. Moreover, it was about a solar panel that was launched into space by the Pentagon in May 2020. This experiment was based on an idea that this small photovoltaic panel that is looping the planet, would be gathering the sun energy. Then it is sent back to the Earth as an energy beam.
Well, this is unique for sure. But it is not the most interesting part yet. The most fascinating part is that this beam can be directed to a chosen location on the Earth. For example, some remote military objects somewhere in a desert or any city that desperately needs electricity at the moment. This technology would be very useful for Texas in February 2021. When the state was hit by an unusual cold weather. As a result, the state power grid system to fail. Moreover, millions of homes lost electricity for days. This panel has been successfully tested. Therefore, now the Pentagon just made it official.
It is difficult to evaluate the potential of this newly developed technology because the potential is enormously huge. It can provide much needed electricity for remote areas and thus save lives of people in need.