New colors in solar panels

2008/07/14 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Energia berriztagarriak

A mixture of two organic dyes multiplies by ten the effectiveness of solar panels by concentrating the Sun's rays on the panel. It is an old idea, at least 30 years ago. Light rays are aspirated by a colored plate of organic dyes and emitted into the solar panel cells. But those tested so far lose a lot of energy on the road, since inside the dye plate most rays are reabsorbed and reemitted. Thus, the energy that reaches

the cells is very small. Instead of using a whole plate with dyes, they have used a thin colored film attached to the glass. In this film two types of dyes are mixed to capture most of the frequencies of the Sun's rays. Glass has been added a molecule that leads the rays to the edges. And the panel itself has

been placed on the edges of the vido.This system allows converting the windows of the buildings into solar panels. It is very cheap. However, some experts consider that market success involves improving system efficiency. Other scientists use mirrors to concentrate light, concentrate light better, but they are too large and need complex installations. There are two competing technologies, the market will have to decide in favor.