Solar panels may become obsolete soon, as a newly discovered alternative promises to cut costs by 70% while increasing energy production.
Scientists from the University of Surrey, the University of Cambridge, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xidian University, and Zhengzhou University contributed to this development.
The researchers created a new type of dual-sided solar panel that uses carbon nanotubes to cut production costs. The nanotubes are used in both the front and back panels of the electrodes.
They are known as nanotubes because of their extremely small form factor, which measures only 2.2 nanometers in diameter. When 45,000 of them are combined to form a solar panel, it is as thin as a sheet of paper.
Despite their small size, nanotubes can generate 36 milliwatts of electricity per square metre, which is equivalent to approximately 360 watts per square metre.
Traditional solar panels are typically limited to 200 watts per square metre. This means that the new dual-sided solar panels are both cheaper and more efficient.
Furthermore, these alternative panels are 97% efficient in terms of energy production, resulting in minimal waste.
This is due to their double-sided design. Traditional solar panels have an efficiency of 75% to 95% on the front side.
The evolution of these solar panels represents a promising avenue for utilising solar energy with increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness, potentially expanding their deployment across a wide range of settings and circumstances.
Although the concept of dual-sided solar panels is not new, these innovative panels featuring nanotubes have significantly increased efficiency, particularly on their rear surfaces. They use both direct sunlight and ambient diffused light to maximise energy conversion capabilities.
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