New polymer sticker increases solar panels output by 10%
10 August 2010 | Solar Power | No Comments
A startup small company called Genie Lens Technologies, has found a new way to improve solar cells. They managed to boost solar cells efficiency by applying a polymer film sticker on their surface. This polymer sticker has a special design, embossed with some micro-structures able to focus and retain sunlight on a certain area. After applying the polymer film on solar cells, researchers foud that it can improve light converting efficiency by 10%.
Compared to other technologies that can improve solar cells, this sticker is much cheaper. Moreover, it can be applied on already installed solar panels, so it’s suitable for someone who wants to improve the efficiency of its own solar panels.
Seth Weiss, cofounder of Genie Lens, explained how this polymer film can be so effective: The sticker can redirect incoming light (the light is dispersed inside this polymer sticker so increasing the chances it will be absorbed). It also prevents sunlight from reflecting off the surface of solar cells. So, for an easier understanding, this polymer sticker can attract somehow the light on cells surface, making them more effective.
Thinking about its composition – it is a plastic material after all - it should not be very expensive. The real problem of these new polymer stickers it’s their durability. “Durability is a big issue,” said Travis Bradford, a solar industry analyst. However, for those who use solar power in their homes and want to improve its quality, the company offers a 20 to 25-year warranty.
Tags: better solar cell, genie lens solar sticker, polymer solar cells, polymer sticker, solar cell sticker, solar conversion, Solar Power, solar sticker