Technology helping solar efficiency

The solar energy boom is producing inventors who want to increase the cost and efficiency of solar energy. Some of these inventions are in their infancy, while others are now available to the masses. When we think of solar technology, we often think of new gadgets. But solar technology has been in existence since 1876 when William Grylls Adams and his student researcher found that you can produce electricity by exposing selenium to light. This confirmed that it was possible to generate energy from light. This method, however, was not nearly efficient enough to have any practical application, but it showed the way for the future of solar technology. Recently, there have been dramatic improvements in the efficiency and practicality of solar materials. Even though it has been over a century since this discovery, we are still at the earliest stages of solar innovation. 

Solar company introduces a new solar module

Lumeta Solar is a solar panel company that is introducing a new solar module that is much easier to install on one’s roof. Their solar module is a frameless panel that has a strong adhesive applied to its back. To install these panels, you peel off the paper that is covering the adhesive and stick the panels directly onto your rooftop. Depending on the type of roof and the number of panels, this method can take just a few hours to install. Their panels have an efficiency of 18%, a power output of 300 watts, and weigh about 26 pounds. This makes the Lumeta solar panel a potentially excellent option for many homeowners.

Solar Windows

Another exciting solar technology that is scheduled to emerge on a larger scale sometime in 2018 is the solar window. A solar window looks like any normal window, but it generates energy as the sunlight passes through the glass. It accomplishes this through a quantum dot coating. Quantum dots are microscopic semiconductors that transfer absorbed light to the edges of solar windows where solar cells are added. When the light moves to the edges of the window, the solar cell converts that light into electricity. This breakthrough technology is now making solar window technology much more efficient and possible. Right now, solar windows are rare, but several companies are working on solar window technology, so we expect to see more of these options entering the market in 2018.

Tesla Solar Shingles

Tesla’s innovative solar technology that infuses solar cells into the roof shingle itself is an option for those who find solar panels unsightly. These shingles are sleek, modern, and more “wife friendly”  than any form of solar technology yet on the market. Although these shingles may not be affordable yet, they can be a viable option for people who are more focused on aesthetics. 

Solar power is here to stay, and the sooner you explore how much you can save, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits of residential solar power. Go to HahaSmart.com and try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need, and how much you can save.

Please visit our solar blog to find out more about the benefits of going solar.