A group of English researchers were inspired by real plants and created a “concept” for a new solar panel, which they called the “solar leaf” (photovoltaic leaf – photovoltaic leaf).
The “solar leaf” concept is inspired by a real plant leaf
The research is published in the scientific journal Nature Communications It presents a new design approach to photovoltaic solar panels inspired by nature, specifically plant leaves. This technology is called “PV-leaf” and aims to increase efficiency in harvesting solar energy while providing additional benefits.
The idea is to imitate the process of transpiration of plant leaves, where water moves from the roots to the leaves, and during this process evaporation occurs, which helps cool the plant. In the case of PV sheets, natural fibers mimic leaf vein bundles, while hydrogels mimic spongy cells, allowing heat to be effectively removed from PV solar panels, making them more efficient.
Photovoltaic panels help reduce the heating effect by 75%, which contributes to longer solar panel life and also collects up to 13.2% more solar energy than traditional panels.
Key points in achieving the “solar sheet”.
- Improve efficiencyTests have shown that photovoltaic panels can generate more than 10% more electricity than traditional solar panels. Traditional panels lose up to 70% of solar energy generated by the environment.
- Low cost: Photovoltaic panels use low-cost materials, which can make solar energy affordable.
- Fresh water production: In addition to electricity, photovoltaic panels have the potential to produce more than 40 billion cubic meters of fresh water per year, if widely adopted to meet solar energy goals by 2050. It is an interesting point to apply, especially in areas with scarcity Water.
- Efficiency in different conditions: Photovoltaic panels are designed to adapt to changes in ambient temperature and solar conditions, making them more versatile than traditional solar systems.
- Sustainability: By eliminating the need for expensive pumps, fans, controllers and porous materials, it makes it a more sustainable and accessible technology.
Remember, it’s still just a “concept,” but it could be an important step toward increasing the efficiency of solar panel installation, making solar energy more effective and accessible. Moreover, the ability to generate fresh water is an added advantage that can meet the growing water demand in many parts of the world.
This “bio-inspired” approach has the potential to contribute significantly to the global energy transition and solve global energy and water challenges.
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