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Solar Innovations to Look Out for in 2023

Innovations in the solar industry have been increasing exponentially, and 2023 is poised to present some pretty awesome advancements in the solar panel industry. Photovoltaic (PV) cells are becoming lighter, cheaper, and more efficient. 

Let’s check out some of the solar trends and innovations to look out for in 2023.

Ultralight Solar Fabric Cells

At a weight one-hundredth that of standard solar panels, researchers at MIT have developed ultralight fabric solar cells that can convert just about any surface into an efficient source of energy. 

 

These ultralight fabric solar cells are paper-thin, tough as nails, and can generate almost 20 times the power per kilogram of conventional PV panels and — due to their durability, transportability, and easy installation — the possibilities for integration are endless.

Solar Panel

Transparent Solar Panels

The prospect of transparent solar panels is an exciting one indeed. Consider the applications! All glass on buildings and cars could be actively generating energy, but how do they work? Well, transparent solar panels can generate energy in a couple of ways: 

  • Quantum dot technology utilizes a light-absorbing insert between glass panels that reflects absorbed energy to the energy-generating edges of the installation. 
  • A transparent coating that absorbs infrared and ultraviolet light can be applied to windows to generate energy. 

Some electric vehicle companies are already integrating solar panels as a standard feature, and while charging stations will still be necessary, car panels could definitely offset charging intervals. Transparent panels are developing rapidly and could be available for residential and commercial use this year!

hand of Technician touching solar panels on house roof for self consumption energy. Renewable energy

Axial Graded Index Lenses (AGILE)

For maximum efficiency, standard solar panels require direct sunlight, making them less productive during certain times of the day or under cloud cover. Some people have opted for expensive automated systems that track the sun throughout the day for optimal surface sunlight angles. Well, engineers at Stanford have designed a pyramidal optical concentrator that researchers refer to as AGILE. It collects and concentrates sunlight from any angle.

The ingenious design of these lenses allows for circuitry and cooling in the narrow areas of the pyramidal shape and reduces overall costs by requiring a smaller surface area than standard solar panels.

A Shift in Materials

Silicon, the foundational material of photovoltaic panels, could be replaced by organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells and halide perovskites. Scientists are hopeful in these materials for their efficiency and low cost.  

Some benefits of OPV and Halide Perovskites include: 

  • Low manufacturing cost and material abundance 
  • Wide range of applications / flexibility 
  • Lightweight and easy to install
Female worker carrying solar panel at indoor warehouse

A Bright Year for the Solar Industry

With all of these amazing innovations on the horizon, it is no wonder more people are excited about solar than ever. Get ahead of the curve by contacting Gurr Brother Energy to discuss these thrilling new trends and your solar panel prospects for 2023!

Author: Hunter S.

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