Efficiency Boosted by Color

Whenever energy is generated, the efficiency of the solar panel is one of the most important factors.  If efficiency is low than output is also low. Researchers are constantly trying to figure out how to make solar panels more efficient.  There have been many breakthroughs in increasing the efficiency of solar panels.  Solar panel’s temperature and type of material have been of major concern, but color seems to be a major factor.

Dark Absorbs More

An objects color is based upon the wavelength that they reflect.  White objects reflect all wavelengths, where black objects absorbs these wavelengths.  For example, you will notice that a black car absorbs more heat in the summer than other color cars.  This may be an inconvenience when dealing with cars, but it can greatly boost efficiency in solar panels. Common solar panels tend to be silver or black.  Black silicon was implemented to panels, and were found to be very effective.

Past solar panels maxed out their efficiency by about 25%, while black silicon panels are able to max out at a higher level.

They absorbed more of the sun’s light therefore creating more energy.  The reason why black silicon panels are not common is because they have been very expensive in the past.  Recently researchers have claimed to have innovated a new way to make black silicon panels more cost effective, in hopes to increase the effectiveness of energy solutions worldwide.

Food Coloring = Higher Efficiency?
The Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy recently reported that many off-the-shelf dyes, medical dyes and food dyes can increase solar panel efficiency when mixed properly.  The dye is used to change and expand the color spectrum that the panel can absorb, which can increase efficiency by as much as 8%.  This low-tech innovation could help improve the effectiveness of solar panels immensely, while keeping prices low.

GreenSun Energy has developed new solar panels that can generate power with non-direct sunlight and use far less silicon than traditional panels.  Unlike traditional panels which are silver and black, GreenSun’s panels use bright colors which allow them to capture different parts of the sun’s spectrum. 

These bright colored panels have gotten up to 12% efficiency and rising. (Typical panels on the market are around 14% efficient!)

Also the panels are currently being produced for about half the price of traditional silicon based solar panels.