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Next-gen Solar farms that work at night, in the rain, and self-clean

June 15, 2022 by Douglas Broom

With the worldwide roll-out of solar, raising the efficiency of energy conversion isn’t just about the materials science of PV cells. Douglas Broom, writing for the World Economic Forum, runs through three “add-on” innovations. Researchers have found a way to generate electricity in the dark as panels cool during the night. A low-cost thermoelectric generator works using the temperature difference between the cooling solar panels and the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Energy, Innovations, Renewables Tagged With: cleaning, efficiency, night, raindrops, robots, solar, thermoelectric, triboelectric, weather

Using electrostatic repulsion to clean Solar panels, avoiding up to 30% power loss

March 23, 2022 by David Chandler

Dust build-up on solar panels can reduce the power output by as much as 30% in just one month. Even a 1% reduction in power for a 150MW solar installation could result in a $200,000 (€180,000) loss in annual revenue. Cleaning normally requires purified water, but that needs to be trucked in to prime locations like deserts where solar potential is highest. Cleaning with brushes is labour intensive and can damage surfaces irreparably. David … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Energy, Innovations, Renewables Tagged With: China, cleaning, desert, dust, electrostatic, India, particles, PV, repulsion, solar, UAE, US, water

Solar “soiling”: energy loss from dust on panels can range from 7% to 50%

May 12, 2021 by Wayne Hicks

Dust and pollution particles on solar cells cut energy conversion, enough to cause big problems for investors let alone those depending on the generation. In parts of the U.S. energy loss can be as high as 7% and 50% in the Middle East. For assets supposed to deliver for 25 to 50 years this is hardly acceptable. Engineering solutions are struggling to keep up with the phenomenal take off of solar. Predicting the effects of “soiling” in your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Energy, Renewables Tagged With: cells, cementation, cleaning, costs, investment, PV, soiling, solar

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Recent Posts

Utah: 140MW Geothermal bid can beat the cost and performance of the proposed Nuclear SMR

Make Hydrogen in developing nations: share prosperity while meeting our climate goals

Smart Glasses: experts can monitor and advise on power plant inspections anywhere in the world

Concrete: 8% of global emissions and rising. Which innovations can achieve net zero by 2050?

Biofuel is approaching a feedstock crunch. How bad? And what must be done?

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