Concentrator solar panels
Posted by Solar energy guru | Filed under Solar panels & photovoltaic cells
The need for developing solar panels arose from the fact that the atmosphere is getting polluted at an alarming rate everyday which is endangering the future of this planet. Thus solar panels were designed which were humungous and cumbersome to install at exorbitant rates.
Eventually with constant experimentation more affordable and manageable solar panels were designed that were convenient to use and easy on the pocket as well. This led to further advancements with the emergence of flexible solar panels that were light and portable and could be used for powering all the main appliances.
Continuous endeavors are being implemented to provide for better and efficient power systems to help in effective use of energy at low costs without upsetting the ecological balance. The concentrator solar panels is another improvement towards a better future and due to rapidly growing developments this could become an integral part of our lives.
Concentrator solar panels explained
These systems collect the energy over expansive areas and focus it on the smaller areas in the solar cells. Thus the electrical power that is obtained from each solar cell is increased. The concentrator solar panels help to decrease the cost of the solar energy since the electricity that is generated from each cell is more and less of solar cells are required.
The sunlight which is concentrated is used for heating fluids inside an absorber tube. The heated fluid is then transferred to a heat engine which converts it to electricity.
Merits of using this system
Since the fluid which is heated can be stored in insulated storage systems till the time of requirement the power can be produced at night and also on days when there is less sunlight or the sky is overcast. It is more effective to store energy as heat rather than as electricity.
Another positive aspect to this system is that these solar panels can be used for desalinating salt water and making it useful for coastline areas. Another great plus point is that it is an extremely reliable system. As the system is a simplified one, running solar plants are not difficult which can last for many years and provide electricity for a long term.
Demerits
The concentrator solar panels help save a lot on silicon which is very expensive by concentrating the sunlight on the smaller areas on the panels by using a reflector that helps reduce the panel area. However, when the sunlight is concentrated the surface temperature of the solar panels is very high. It is imperative that methods be used to cool the surface of the solar panel effectively to avoid the melting and damage of the panels.
The effect of concentrator solar panels on the future
The feasibility of this technology is being contemplated as a major breakthrough with hopeful investors funding the project with large amounts. The biggest challenge is in installing cooling loops with higher efficiency levels to provide low temperature cooling mediums.
Presently all the technologies that are being implemented for using renewable energy for generating electricity like solar power, marine power, wind power and geothermal power cannot keep pace with the cost of electricity generated from use of coal. There is a lack of an industrial approach towards harnessing energy using these methods that may be costly and dangerous too since its use on an industrial level needs constant operation without any breakdowns or outages.
If human existence is to be based on electricity generated by these concentrator solar panels and wind power, then constructive steps need to be taken to develop technologies for storing vast quantities of electric energy with no excuse for insufficient power generation due to less sunshine or wind.
