Shadows have become the enemy of solar power for about as long as it has been around. Known as cannibalizing, moving shadows can eat into the generated energy of solar cells, causing a decrease in output. A shadow’s effect on solar energy can be so severe that the shadow casts from a stick alone could decrease a string of solar cell’s generated energy to nothing. This has been one the biggest disadvantages to supplying solar power. Regrettably, many of the solar panels that claim to be resistant against shading have proved to be ineffective when it comes to maintaining the production of solar energy at or around full capacity.

However, new technology may have changed the way that we look at shadow’s effect on solar energy forever. Australian National University researchers have developed a new design that is able to combat shadows and will even decrease the cost of producing solar power.

Their design features curved, mirror-like solar concentrators that focuses light directly onto photovoltaic cells in order to produce electricity. The truly innovative aspect of this design is that even if shade were to fall across a multitude of solar cells the newly designed more compact solar panels are able to preserve power at full capacity. Though the technology was initially developed in Australia, it will be produced in California and either China or India.

Since the concentrated light coupled with the increased cell production calls for smaller panels, there will be increased levels of efficiency. This will inevitably decrease the costs of producing solar power. The new design goes a long way towards making solar power more affordable and available to the average person. The idea is eventually to be able to sell the system for under or around $1,000.00 in most countries, however, this new technology has a little while to go before it becomes mainstream. Although as there is a greater push toward alternative energy sources and “green” living, the availability of solar power to the average householder may be just around the corner.

With the increased number of governments funding this new technology of around $1.8 million, support for this new revolutionary system is increasing. As more countries are starting to understand the possibilities of solar power there is a good chance that the financing of this technology will increase in the years to come.

Bookmark to: