Shadows have become the nemesis of solar energy for about as long as it has been around. Called cannibalizing, moving shadows can eat into the generated energy of solar cells, causing a reduction in output. A shadow's effect on solar energy can be so severe that the shadow casts from a stick alone could reduce a string of solar cell's generated energy to zero. This has been one the biggest disadvantages to providing solar energy. Unfortunately, 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 power.
However, new technology may have changed the way that we look at shadow's effect on solar power 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 ground-breaking aspect of this design is that even if shade were to fall across a large number 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 India or China.
Since the concentrated light coupled with the increased cell production calls for smaller panels, there will be increased levels of efficiency. This will inevitably reduce 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 thinking 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 short while to go before it becomes mainstream. Although as there is a greater push toward alternative energy sources and "green" living, the accessibility of solar power to the average household may be just around the corner.
Due to the increased number of governments funding this new technology of around $1.8 million, support for this new revolutionary system is gaining. As more countries are starting to understand the possibilities of solar energy there is a good chance that the funding of this technology will increase in the years to follow.
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