Future Solar Looks BrightSome people ask if Solar Power even has a future. I say yes and Future Solar is right around the corner. As we speak eco-homes have clean earth technologies applied while they are being built. Before we jump into what is new here is a question for you. Did you know that in an average day the sun produces 10,000 times more electricity than we use?
Up until recently Solar cell efficiency has not been all that impressive. An example would be multicrystalline panels. They range from 12%-17% in efficiency. Most home solar panels are constructed this way. Then we have Thin Film Solar or flexible panels. These can range from 5%-8% in efficiency. These are the panels you see that can keep your car or boat battery charged.
Here is the twist. Up until these dots were discovered solar cell efficiency was low because the panels could only absorb visible light. That is why solar panels could not produce at night. Quantum Dots are a composite that will react to both visible light and infrared light. The theory is that since infrared light takes place both during the day and night the insulation period is expanded and the efficiency improved. We give off infrared heat. Anything that heats up will give off infrared heat.
This alternative energy technology can be stitched into clothing and used to operate a cell phone or even a laptop.Imagine plugging your phone into your shirt. The potential applications are being studied by most of the major Solar Companies that do there own manufacturing. It seems like every day a Solar Manufacturer is putting out positive information about their studies.
The actual construction, since it is flexible can be incorporated into all kinds of roofing systems. We already have Solar Shingles and with this new technology they will be able to do an even better job. 
One of the big drawbacks to Solar PV is the cost. It keeps dropping but even still you are looking at anywhere from $8-$10 per watt. A 3KW (3,000 watt) system will run $24,000-$30,000 installed. The buzz around Quantum Dot Solar Power is that the cost could drop to a range from $1-$2 per watt. Run those figures and the price is very competitive to fossil fuel generated electricity. What will Future Solar look like? Just about anything you can wear, or carry with you.So does solar have a future? I think we have answered the question with a very loud YES!!!
|
The latest in alternative energy technology is "spray on solar". You may hear this referred to as Quantum Dots Solar Power. An easy explanation for quantum dots is that they are a semiconductors. When combined with a special polymer can be sprayed on to a variety of materials. 
They predict that 
