Solar Cells to Become More Efficient And Economical

With more solar cell developers working on creating the next-generation of super-efficient solar cells, it is safe to say that the future is bright for solar energy.

Solar cells (as the name implies) are designed to convert (at least a part of) available light into electrical energy.

Whatever the concepts and design behind creating solar cells; whether growing photovoltaic crystals, using carbon nanotubes, applying special coatings, or an alternative concept, one thing is for sure. Regular scientific breakthroughs, as far as new and improved solar cells are concerned, promises cheaper, more efficient solar power energy.

Only last month (March 2010), scientists claimed that they were using technology, originally developed by the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, to create solar energy that was four times more efficient and three times cheaper than existing solar cells.

Each solar module features a concentrating acrylic lens and reflective walls to direct the sun’s rays onto a strip of photovoltaic cells, in turn reducing the volume of Photovoltaic (i.e. solar cells) by up to 75 per cent.

Photovoltaic, which comes from the Greek meaning ‘light’, is a solar cell, or technology, that creates electricity by maximising the sun’s rays.

Solar cells commitment Photovoltaics, or solar cells, are seen as a crucial step towards developing renewable energy worldwide.

In the USA, for example, President Barack Obama wants to almost triple the percentage of the nation's electricity supplied by renewables by 2025, and sees

new and improved solar cells, not to mention cheaper solar cells, as the key to making this a reality.

Obama plans to create millions of new jobs in the renewable energy sector in order to increase the country’s electricity supplied by renewable sources, and ensure that sustainable initiatives are developed economically, socially and environmentally.

More testing laboratories and solar cell engineers are needed around the world to cope with solar’s rapid growth.

Solar cells hold the key in the UK A solar revolution is also stating to take off here in Britain, where there are plans to install greater innovative solar technology, as part of the government’s declared commitment to reduce carbon emissions from homes by 29% by 2020.

The idea is that one day solar cells will extract enough energy from the sun, which can easily give off around 1,000 watts of energy per square metre of earth’s surface, to electrically power our homes, cars, offices, among other devices, for free.

Although a lot more research into solar cells is necessary to study how they can convert the sun's energy directly into electricity in a more cost-effective way, strides are being taken in the right direction.

The Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change recently announced a fresh strategy called Warm Homes, Greener Homes designed to set out plans for a wholesale transformation of how energy is used in our homes.

It is hoped that the scheme will not only make our homes greener, but also cheaper to run. It should also lead to mass eco-upgrades.

Although it is still in its early stages, the project clearly reinforces the government’s aim to reduce carbon in homes and lead to the eventual installation of solar panels, fuelled by ever improving solar cells, at a more affordable level.

For more information on solar cells, and their benefits, refer to expert websites such as www.energyrethinking.org , http://www.mapenvironmental.co.uk & www.plastecs.com

By Philippa Worley

View Source: Solar Cells, Photovoltaic Solar Panels, Solar Installation