Homemade Solar Panel

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Efficiency Figures of a Homemade Solar Panel

One of the key characteristics of any tool or machine is its efficiency. For instance, this is true when comparing various pieces of equipment (such as a homemade solar panel) that process energy from various sources. For instance, one of the main reasons that people install solar panels is to reduce their utility bills. And the efficiency of the panels will determine precisely how much lower your utility bills will be.

Relatively speaking, today`s solar panels are quite efficient when compared with the first solar cells available. In fact, the earliest solar cells were actually less than 1% efficient at converting solar energy into electrical power! As you might guess, solar panels that contain such solar cells would be as effective as a balloon made of lead.

While a modern homemade solar panel can be significantly more efficient in converting sunlight into electricity, precisely how efficient can they be? In fact, the priciest and most advanced solar panels of today function at roughly 40% efficiency. While this definitely an improvement from the first solar cells developed, it still means that 60% of the sunlight isn`t transformed into electricity.

What`s the reason? Basically, it`s unlikely that scientists will be able to make solar panels with silicon semiconductors much more efficient. Instead, the use of nanotechnology could result in solar panels that have efficiency ratings as high as 80%. Such solar panels would contain miniscule nano-antennas that would collect radiation from the sun termed as “infra-red.”

However, before you start dreaming of a homemade solar panel with 80% efficiency, consider the fact that scientists haven`t discovered a means of capturing the electrons that nano-antennas emit. However, that doesn`t mean that scientists can`t or won`t develop such a crucial component in collecting electrons from super-efficient nonotechnology. In fact, researchers believe that by adding a tiny converter or capacitor in the middle of each teeny tiny antenna, they`ll be able to export the energy from sunlight. And as added bonuses, the efficiency of the solar panels won`t decrease significantly, while their price won`t increase significantly either.

However, until scientists perfect the technology for the ultra-efficient homemade solar panel, you can still benefit from today`s silicon semiconductor versions. Yes, 40% is half of 80%. Still, that efficiency is enough to help cut your utility bills significantly. In fact, consider the fact that basic solar panels can cost less than $200 to produce, yet can pay for themselves within a few months!

There are more conventional ways to improve the efficiency of your solar panels. You can change their angles, so they absorb more sunlight. You can clean them periodically, so the individual parts work more effectively. And you can also reduce the number of obstructions that prevent the solar panels from maximizing the amount of sunlight that they absorb. In particular, keep the solar panels out of any shade, such as the shade from trees.

Earth4Energy is a comprehensive guide that can provide all of the information you need to know about the efficiency of a homemade solar panel.

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