Solar panels for your home may be even more efficient in the near future, according to an article at ScienceDirect. Currently, the component of the solar panel that transports the sun’s energy is made primarily of silicon, but that may change in the near future.
A study from Umae University shows that carbon nanotubes, one dimensional nanoscale cylinders made of carbon atoms, have unique properties which may make them 100 million times more efficient at transporting solar energy. The tubes must be specifically arranged for maximum efficiency. Today’s solar panels for homes are made with a less efficient design and a less efficient conductor (silicon), so some of the energy collected is lost in transportation.
While the next generation of solar panels will likely be much more efficient, that doesn’t mean homeowners should put off installing solar panels. Solar panels for homes have been increasing in their efficiency steadily as scientists and engineers become increasingly interested in alternative energy sources.
The generation of solar panels for homes that use the carbon nanotube technology is still in the earliest stages of development and is likely years away from commercial use, but should eventually lead to the development of flexible carbon-based solar cells that are both cheaper to produce and more efficient.
In short, the next generation of solar panels will be both cheaper for the homeowner and offer better use of the energy collected. Sadly, the article did not predict how long it would take for the next generation of solar panels to become commercially available. In the meantime, existing solar panels can help reduce a homeowner’s energy costs and promote green energy.