Since the invention of photovoltaic technology in 1881, solar technology has rapidly evolved. As the world moves towards a sustainable and green future, the recent technological updates in the solar industry will affect every consumer. In just a few years, the solar industry has come a long way. Longer-lasting solar cells, solar cells that can be printed onto flexible surfaces, solar panels that track the sun from east to west throughout the day, and solar power plants that operate at night are among the most recent developments and breakthroughs in solar technology. Here are some of the latest technologies that are becoming popular among solar companies.

• Floating Solar Farms

Most consumers know only about two types of power plants: rooftop solar power plants and ground-mounted solar power plants. However, floating solar power farms are gaining increasing popularity. NTPC commissioned the first floating solar power plant project to Tata Solar. Floating solar power plants are arrays of PV modules installed on a still-water body like a lake or pond. This technology has gained increased attention because it does not require land, protects water bodies from evaporation (especially during extreme heat), and requires little maintenance since the water body provides natural cooling.

• Solar Windows

A solar window is a solar cell that acts as transparent glass, making solar energy generation less visible to the naked eye.
Solar windows are still in the research stage, but solar technology experts believe they will be available for purchase within the next five years. Dr. Richard Lunt, the researcher behind these solar windows, has stated that they are “almost like a solar cell that can be installed in a window.” Solar windows make solar cells more efficient because they use all types of light – not just visible light – to generate electricity, which is a growing trend in the solar market. This means that solar windows will produce twice as much energy as solar cells because they will generate electricity from both visible solar energy and solar energy from the outside.

• Solar Tracker

The efficiency of PV modules depends entirely on how much sunlight is incident on the panel. Solar trackers are an emerging technology that orient the PV modules towards the sun. It ensures maximum conversion during the daytime. Many solar companies have also designed solar trackers that adjust the angle of the solar cells in the module. The angle of incidence depends mainly on the time of day, which affects the panel’s output. As a result, the panel’s output can be adjusted by adjusting the angle.

• Printable solar cells

Michigan Technological University researchers unveiled solar cells that can be printed onto thin plastic sheets in February 2017. These solar cells are less than half a millimeter thick. They are sufficiently flexible to be rolled up. They can also be submerged in water or hit by a car without it being damaged. Solar cells which are printable on flexible sheets They will allow solar power to be installed anywhere, including places where solar panels cannot be installed.

• Bifacial Solar Panels

The concept of bifacial solar panels is quite old. However, bifacial solar panels have gained increased attention in the past decade. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, bifacial solar panels provide increased efficiency. Unlike a mono-facial solar panel, a bifacial solar panel has solar cells on both sides. It is especially effective for areas where the solar panel may not receive the required light in specific seasons.

• Mono half-cut solar panels

Mono half-cut solar panels are a relatively lesser-known technology. Unlike traditional solar panels, which feature total solar cells, mono half-cut solar panels feature solar cells that are cut in half. Traditional solar cells have 60 or 72 cells. In half-cut solar panels, this changes to 120 or 144, respectively. This increased number not only means that there are more cells but also that the current is halved. This reduces the relative loss of the current and improves efficiency.

In just a few years, the solar industry has come a long way. It’s likely to stay on that path for a long time.

Hybrid solar power systems, hybrid inverters and mono half-cut solar panels are some technologies to keep an eye on.Solar is a constantly-changing industry, and as more people become conscious of climate change, better and more efficient technology can be expected. Every week, new solar power plants are built, and solar panels are becoming more affordable.

Given the advances in solar technology, it appears that solar energy will become an integral part of our daily lives in the future. With the technological advancement that has happened in the solar industry in the past recent years, people’s confidence have increased and more people are installing solar power plant on their premises as it is giving them greater return on investment, value for their money and attractive interest on their capital. Since we have come a long way in this technology, the efficiency of the solar panels have reached it’s peak that is giving the people greater returns.

So what are you waiting for? Book a solar power plant today with Greenon Energy. Log into: www.greenonenergy.in