3D solar towers circa 2016.
Improving Efficiency
Most solar panels are placed flat on rooftops because they are designed to harness solar energy when the sun is directly overhead. However, when the angle of the sun’s rays hitting the panel changes, traditional panels quickly become less efficient.
To get around this inefficiency, scientists have been experimenting with a variety of new solar cell technologies, including nanoscale 3D structures to trap light and increase the amount of solar energy absorbed. However in a new study in Energy and Environmental Science, a team of MIT researchers has taken a different approach by changing the shape of the solar panels. The researchers were able to develop a 3D shape that allows for 20 times greater power output.
Comments are closed.