Nov 05 2008

A New Twist on "Clean" Energy

Are solar cells really as "clean" as they're cracked up to be? Like most things, it all depends on whether you wash them or not.

Petaluma-based OCS Energy, Inc. has just introduced a product it calls SolarWash, touted as "the first commercially available automated photovoltaic (PV) panel cleaning system."

OCS Energy warns that the build-up of dirt over several months can cut power production from a solar cell array by as much as 25 percent. Taking its marketing cues from Proctor and Gamble, the company notes that in addition to dirt, PV system operators must also worry about "dust, tree debris, moss, sap, bugs, bird droppings, water spots, mold, and more."

Using microprocessor-controlled spray nozzles, the SolarWash system promises to maximize solar efficiency while saving on labor costs. It even comes with a web-based interface, something your garden watering system should no doubt incorporate as well.

Farther down the road, another technological breakthrough promises to shed even more light on solar cells. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute say they have discovered a new antireflective coating that allows solar panels to absorb 96 percent of all light that falls on them. Typical untreated silicon cells today absorb only 67 percent of available light, wasting the rest.

By absorbing radiation from a wide variety of angles and broad spectrum of frequencies (infrared through ultraviolet), the nanocoating promises to dramatically increase the efficiency of electricity generation from PV installations.

Posted by: Jonathan Marshall | Comments (0) digg delicioussend to a friendprint entry

 

Categories

Solar

Leave a comment


E-mail this post


Your Name:
Your Friend's Email:

Subscribe to Blog rssIcon

> Go

Recent Comments

  • This is being rather generous to Lutz. 1. The "Volt", in no small part, will be targeted as a product to people who care about energy and environmental issues. These people don't embrace Lutz' antideluvian concepts of rejecting science. How responsible is it for a GM executive to be rejecting the science? 2. As well, Lutz didn't exactly sound too enthusiastic about the Volt itself. 3. And, GM public communications has 'defended' Lutz in rather absurd ways. -A Siegel
    > view entry


  • This article is right on - small businesses have a huge role to play in sustainability. Not only do they add up in aggregate, but many small businesses operate in industries that can have a significant environmental impact depending on the exact practices, like dry cleaners, auto repair shops, etc. Green is also starting to affect the bottom line more and more, customers are increasingly voting with their feet for more sustainable businesses as can be seen from the growth of sites like http://www.ecovian.com. This is also a huge opportunity for small businesses to leapfrog their bigger brothers by being more agile in adopting these measures. -Emily
    > view entry


  • Great entry, Katie. Love the level of detail you managed to get in there! Probably won't be able to compete with coal and oil any time the next decade, but definitely a great technology to look into! Keep it up :) -Rune (Norway)
    > view entry


Recent Posts