Do you remember that famous saying about energy, that it can neither be created or destroyed, but can only be converted from one form to another, now the challenge is how do we convert this solar energy? Of course we are using solar panels to convert Sun’s energy into electrical energy, still, it does not meet our energy demands! Have you ever imagined that how awesome it would be if all windows in our homes were able to convert solar electricity? You will never be charging your phone because it is literally energizing itself at every moment. It may sound like a fantasy now, but it might become reality, as a new Transparent solar cell technology has been designed, which can be used to harness the limitless solar energy, and it can be placed on buildings and car windows, even on mobile phone screens, and on anything which has a transparent surface.At Michigan State University, the scientists have published about Transparent solar panels in a journal namedNature Energy. Also, the researchers from the fields of Chemical Engineering and Material Science have approved this concept. Which means that these panels are capable of fulfilling the electricity demands greatly, and can reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.
Now, let’s have a small glimpse into the working of this transparent panel technology. The beauty of these panels is that they can be put on top of a clear piece of glass without stopping the sunlight to pass through, and it captures the infrared radiation and converts it into electricity.It is designed in a manner that it picks up ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths and directs them to the surface of the glass they are on, where they are converted into electricity by thin strips of photovoltaic cells.So basically they have a potential to harness invisible light! and at the same time can be mounted on rooftops and enhancing the performance of large buildings, vehicles, mobiles or even mobile phones.
Just imagine, if we could install these panels on homes, building, skyscrapers in big cities and vehicles, it will turn them into self-sustained Power Hubs. But, the problem with that is the efficiency, which is only 5%. But still, the work continues, to make it better and improve the efficiency. Moreover, its manufacturing will require a lot of electricity, which may not necessarily come from clean energy. But the windows and rooftops of such production plants themselves can be fitted with solar cells so that they generate power for the manufacturing process.
conclusively, this transparent panel technology offers a promising path to inexpensive, widespread solar adoption on small and large surfaces that were previously inaccessible, and will allow us to meet our energy demands in a more cleaner and greener way. This also provides an opportunity for young engineers from electrical and electronics background to learn about solar panels and help themselves in building a career which is not only promising but futuristic also.That’s where the role of trainers at SISTec starts, which is to propagate their tradition of cultivating the minds of Students in a manner that they develop a sense of critical thinking within themselves, so as to move forward in their lives more efficiently and grasping opportunities by playing their roles for a better future.
BY:
Prof. Aamir Nasir
Assistant Professor – Department of Electrical and Electronics
Image Source: Google Images
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