Just when humanity thought renewable energy couldn’t get any better, Denmark is already reshaping the laws. The irrefutable bottleneck that seems to plague solar panels in photovoltaic technology is adoption beyond panel technology. Now it’s ‘ghost panels’, Denmark is utilizing pre-existing infrastructure, especially walls, to reshape renewable energy generation. What exactly is this about that is seemingly causing a positive uproar in the world of solar panels?
The complete teardown: The idea, effect, and principle behind “Ghost Panels”
Just like every invention, innovation, and advancement can never be stopped. This is particularly true, especially in the renewable energy industry. First, it was huge and colossal structures that were accessible to mega corporations. In a couple of years, the transition occurred and forced a shift from commercial turbine technology to panels capable of harnessing the power of the sun for the purpose of converting the never-dying power of the sun to energy that is usable for mankind.
But over time, scientists have figured out that the idea behind integrating solar panels with rooftops can not be fully efficient for the power needs of a community, an urban city, or smaller factories. This is why specialized research has been heavily invested in to unravel the greater efficiency that is expected of solar panels.
Walls are a must-have in every civilization across multiple nations, continents, and locations. This is why the possibility of integrating solar technology into it feels positive and doable. A particular nation, Denmark, is already laying the groundwork for what could be humanity’s green ticket.
The idea is simply a system where multi-junction transparent solar cells combining perovskite and organic layers are set up on a large scale for the purpose of absorbing the ultraviolet rays beaming from the sun. All of this should take place while being transparent. This specific approach can boost the performance of existing transparent photovoltaic systems up to 50%. This revelation was made by Citysolar in Europe. Citysolar also stipulated that the efficiency boost is occurring due to the fact that a wall can be fitted with the new technology throughout, while there’s a limit to the number of panels that can be fitted on a roof (just like this innovative, powerful solar glass for homes).
Elements that are bringing Denmark’s ghost panels to life
The technology behind Denmark’s ghost panels would have never survived the test of time without CitySolar. CitySolar is a consortium of 9 participating institutions from 4 different countries. This consortium has a clear goal in mind: Zero-energy buildings and seamless integration of renewable energy infrastructure and the city’s structures.
The drive behind this partnership coaxed the consortium to channel its energy into developing the “ghost panel” technology as we know it today, all to achieve a 50% performance gain over the conventional transparent photovoltaic technology that came before it.
What does the future hold for “Ghost Panels” and their integration?
The future, particularly for photovoltaic technology, feels sturdy and seamless. If the main objective of “ghost panels” is seamlessly integrated and adopted, an era of absolute efficiency and structural innovation will dominate the atmosphere, leading to a better quality of life and an inward improvement of the city’s landscape. Currently, the technology is at the “walls” stage. In a couple of years, it could be transferred to transparent glass, floors, wood, and lots more.
The most difficult step has been taken, which is: theorization and ideation. The next step in the development of “ghost panel” technology is what is currently in play. The benefits and effects in our day-to-day lives are numerous. Imagine a world where your electric car can be plugged into walls and get charged 50% faster than a regular socket. These benefits can go as far as your mind can take you, but one thing is certain: Just like the newly discovered futuristic tiles, ‘Ghost panels’ are the future of photovoltaic technology.
