Moving from concentrating the sun’s heat using mirrors and glass to ignite fires in the 7th Century BC to now advanced integrations like coloured solar cells, it stands to reason that the art of harvesting the sun’s rays through solar energy applications is not something new.
Image credit: Photo by Kelly L from Pexels
Throughout the tests of time, the sun has been the ultimate life force used in two very distinct ways – for light and heat, which are still as valuable as they have always been. However, as the modern world evolves, shifts, and innovates with key practices such as nanotechnology, harnessing renewable energy has become much more impactful and efficient than ever before.
Solar Energy Applications: The Mark That Keeps Growin
If there is one thing for sure, historic inventors have been proactively advancing the productivity, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of solar energy applications for well over a century. And now, with nanotechnology industry leaders like Stensborg taking the torch and integrating modernised optic filter approaches to improve PV manufacturing processes, those ongoing advancements are indeed expected to keep coming.
Taking a step back for a moment, in 1883, the very first solar cell was created using gold-coated selenium and only had an energy conversion rate of 1-2%. For reference, solar cells today average about 15-20%. But with ongoing nanotechnology enhancements, scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have been able to successfully fabricate solar cells capable of generating a conversion efficiency as high as 47.1%. Coupling that with Stensborg’s high-performing BIPV systems and customised resins equates to the future of modern energy collection transforming into an aesthetically pleasing/multi-functional experience. After all, BIPV integrations can be built into structural components ranging from roofs, facades, and windows that proactively support moisture, wind, and thermal resistances while working as energy-absorbing solar panels.
The Solar Energy Applications Of Today
With the push for modernisation throughout time, these ongoing solar energy discoveries ultimately became the catalyst for the increased number of creative solar energy applications circulating throughout society today. Some of the more notable ones include (but are not limited to):
- Solar Fabrics
Flexible solar panels being stitched into clothing fabrics.
- Coloured Solar Cells
Solar cells that can be applied to homes to maximise efficiency without hindering appearance. The result? People having a win-win solution to enjoy the perks of solar energy without having panels being sore on the eyes. This is a big step for PV manufacturing, as coloured solar cells can harmoniously blend with structures and surroundings from walls to roofs, effectively unleashing a new wave of innovative and renewable building designs. This will be especially true as more colours surface, such as red.
- Texturized Solar Panels
Along with coloured solar cell advancements, optic filter engineers at Stenborg also predict this will surface a rush for textured solar panels as well. For example, granite and stone using cutting-edge topologies and nanoimprint techniques.
- Solar-Powered Roads
Roads having the ability to generate clean energy, melt ice, and illuminate at night to make for safer driving.
- Solar Storage
Storing solar energy produced by PV systems as a means to replace trading goods like oil for future trading purposes.
- PV Solar Noise Barriers
Noise reflective walls to keep residential areas near highways quieter as well as provide sustainable power generation.
- Solar Powered Transportation
Created by photovoltaic cells, solar energy can be transferred to either power the motor or be reserved in the storage battery.
Summary – The Future Of Nanotechnology and Solar Is Bright
In summary, nanotechnology and solar panel applications have come a long way since the dawn of their existence. The best part is that even with solar panel innovations being at their peak, they will continue to leave lasting marks on the world as fabrication continues to improve with better materials like organic semiconductors and perovskite. This is an endeavour that Stensborg has been both proven and committed to spearheading while simultaneously fulfilling modern-age demand gaps with coloured solar cells that make the renewable surge much more attractive.
Overall, the rapid industry growth has demonstrated to be a volatile one that not only supports life quality in the present but inevitably helps pave the way for a much cleaner and sustainable future for generations to come. And with ongoing dedications from Stensborg futurists, nanotechnology innovators, and solar cell experts, the fast rise of new unique solar energy applications is one you can expect to see as the modern world (as a whole) continues to gracefully shift towards a renewable, mutually-beneficial state.
Together, we will overcome the challenges and complexities of solar cell applications in today’s modern world, using our nanoimprinting know-how and many years of experience to pave the way to a brighter and greener future.
