permaculture

[lbsaltzman@aol.com]

http://www.greenoptions.com/blog/2007/04/16/new_3d_solar_power_design_increases_efficiency

New 3D Solar Power Design Increases Efficiency

Cross section of nanotube tower: Photo credit: Georgia Tech Research
InstituteCross section of nanotube tower: Photo credit: Georgia Tech
Research InstituteThe Georgia Tech Research Institute has come up with
a solar panel design that could revolutionize the solar industry.

The new design features many nano-towers - think of microscopic blades
of grass - that capture more sunlight because they have a larger
surface area than the traditional flat design of photovoltaic (PV)
cells. These three-dimensional panels produce about 60 times more
current that regular solar cells. Because of this leap in efficiency,
the coatings on the PV cells can be made thinner, and the overall
size, weight, and mechanical complexity of the systems are reduced.
>From the news release:



    "The GTRI photovoltaic cells trap light between their tower
structures, which are about 100 microns tall, 40 microns by 40 microns
square, 10 microns apart -- and built from arrays containing millions
of vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes. Conventional flat solar cells
reflect a significant portion of the light that strikes them, reducing
the amount of energy they absorb.

    Because the tower structures can trap and absorb light received
from many different angles, the new cells remain efficient even when
the sun is not directly overhead."

But although the new design can produce a current much more
efficiently, photovoltaic cells have to generate a voltage too. So far
there's too much resistance within the solar cell to produce the type
of electricity that's needed. Researchers say that hurdle will be the
next phase of development.

The United States Air Force funded part of the research, seeking a
smaller, more efficient solar panel that could eventually be used to
power satellites and spacecraft. Researchers at Georgia Tech believe
solar power would see a large jump in residential and commercial use
as well if this lightweight and more efficient design is proven
effective.
 
 
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