The next big solar technology may come from an organic substance called perovskites, which can improve efficiency and reduce costs. Commercialization is still years away. It isn't clear what will separate these materials from Silicon. All new cell types must be tested and developed before they are deployed, regardless of their potential.
Efficiencies of new solar technologies
The Efficiencies of new solar technologies are advancing at an astounding pace. Solar cells can now be more efficient thanks to different layers and types of semiconductors. Solar cell companies have seen a 40% increase in their earnings due to increased efficiency. While these improvements are still in the early stages, solar developers are working to develop new materials that will improve their technology.
A solar cell's temperature also influences its output. This temperature is called its maximum power point, and can be calculated from the technical data for the cell. The cell will lose about 5% of its power output if it is operating at 80 degrees Celsius. The cell's maximum operating temperature is 85 degrees Celsius when placed on a sunny rooftop.
Land availability
Solar technologies are helping to reduce the land that is not managed in many areas of the world. The EU could eliminate 31 to 43 hectares annually of forest by using solarland. India could have solarland covering 27-30 hectares. Additional 49 to 54 hectares would be affected by solar power expansion in South Korea, Japan, and South Korea.
The relative energy density and the prevailing radiation determine how much land is required to produce solar power. An innovative accounting system is proposed to determine the land required for solar power production. It is based in a state-of the-art Integrated Assessment Model, (IAM), that links land and energy. This model is used to simulate solar power technologies' effects on land availability in different parts of the world.
Integration into buildings
New solar technologies are becoming more mainstream. Many systems can convert solar energy into heat energy. These systems can be used in buildings as a heating source in winter. These systems are however dependent on the latitude. Countries close to the equator have higher incidence angles. This means that they can convert more energy into thermal energy.
The integration of new technologies in buildings can transform the standard approach to solar installation and increase its adoption. Currently, solar thermal systems (STS) are mounted on roofs. This approach creates aesthetic challenges as well as space availability and envelope integrity problems. This paper discusses the various options for integrating STS and PV into buildings. It also quantifies the advantages of this integration and provides suggestions to solve any potential problems.
Potential for thin-film solar photovoltaics
Thin-film solar photovoltaics has great potential as the market for alternative energy continues to grow. This technology has been gaining ground in the commercial market, thanks to research and development efforts around the world. New applications and efficiency levels for thin-film PV cell are becoming more common.
The latest thin-film photovoltaics technology is based on two types of silicon: amorphous and crystalline. The former has a more structured lattice, and is better at refracting light. These cells will also resist heat from sun, which will enable them generate more power during high temperature spikes.