Shadows Blocking Solar Power Removed

Shadows have been the nemesis of solar energy for about as long as it has been around. Called cannibalizing, moving shadows can eat into the generated energy of solar cells, causing a reduction in output. A shadow’s effect on solar power can be so strong that the shadow casts from a stick alone could decrease a string of solar cell’s generated energy to nothing. This has been one the largest disadvantages to providing solar energy. Regrettably, many of the solar panels that maintain to be resistant against shading have proved to be ineffective when it comes to maintaining the production of solar energy at or around full power.

However, new technology may have changed the way that we look at shadow’s influence on solar energy forever. Australian National University researchers have developed a new design that is able to combat shadows and will even decrease the cost of producing solar energy.

Their design features curved, mirror-like solar concentrators that focuses light directly onto photovoltaic cells in order to generate electricity. The truly radical aspect of this design is that even if shade were to fall across a multitude of solar cells the newly designed more compact solar panels are able to maintain power at full power. Though the technology was at the outset developed in Australia, it will be manufactured in California and either China or India.

Since the concentrated light coupled with the increased cell production calls for smaller panels, there will be a higher level of efficiency. This will inevitably reduce the costs of producing solar power. The new design goes a long way towards making solar power more affordable and available to the average person. The idea is eventually to be able to sell the system for under or around $1,000.00 in most countries, however, this new technology has a little while to go before it reaches mainstream. Although as there is a greater push toward alternative energy sources and “green” living, the availability of solar power to the average householder may be just around the corner.

With the increased number of governments funding this new technology of around $1.8 million, support for this new ground-breaking system is gaining. As more countries are starting to realize the possibilities of green energy there is a good chance that the funding of this technology will increase in the years to come.