An organic substance called "perovskites" could be the next big technology in solar power. It has potential to improve efficiency and decrease costs. However, commercialization of this technology is still years off. It isn't clear what will separate these materials from Silicon. Regardless of their potential, all new cell types need testing and development before they can be deployed.
New solar technologies improve efficiency
The Efficiencies of new solar technologies are advancing at an astounding pace. Solar cells that use different layers of semiconductors are now more efficient than ever. This has enabled solar cell manufacturers to increase their profits by as high as 40%. While these improvements are still in the early stages, solar developers are working to develop new materials that will improve their technology.
The output of a sun-powered solar cell is also affected by the temperature. This temperature is also known as its maximum power level and can easily be determined from technical data. If the cell operates at 80 degrees Celsius, its power output will decrease by approximately 5%. The cell's maximum operating temperature is 85 degrees Celsius when placed on a sunny rooftop.
Land availability
Solar technologies are decreasing the amount non-managed land across many regions of the globe. A solarland project could help to remove between 31 and 43 hectares worth of forest annually in the EU. India could have solarland covering 27-30 hectares. In South Korea and Japan, the expansion of solar power would affect an additional 49 to 54 hectares of unmanaged land.
The amount of solar power produced depends on the technology's relative energy density. A novel method of accounting for the land required for solar energy is presented. It is based upon a state of the art Integrated Assessment Model (IAM), which links land, energy and socioeconomic systems. This model has been used to simulate the impacts of solar power technologies on land availability around the world.
Integration into buildings
Integration of new solar technologies into buildings is becoming more common. Numerous systems can be used to convert solar electricity into thermal energy. These systems are also useful for heating buildings in winter. These systems do depend on where you are located. Countries close to the Equator have lower incidence angles which allows them to convert more thermal energy into electricity.
New solar technologies can be integrated into buildings to change the way that solar installations are done and encourage adoption. The majority of solar thermal systems (STS), are currently installed on roofs. This creates aesthetic problems as well as issues with space availability and envelope integrity. This paper examines different options for integrating STS/PV into buildings. It also provides solutions for potential problems and quantifies the benefits.
Potential for thin-film solar photovoltaics
As the demand for alternative energy grows, so do the opportunities for thin-film photovoltaics. The technology is gaining ground on the commercial market thanks to the hard work of researchers and developers around the globe. Thin-film PV cells have a higher efficiency and are being used in new ways.
The latest thin-film photovoltaics technology is based on two types of silicon: amorphous and crystalline. The former is less structured and more efficient at reflecting sunlight. These cells also resist heat from sunlight, which allows them to produce more power in high temperatures.