Scientists at Stanford University in the United States have invented new types of solar panels that generate electricity even at night when the sun is not shining. The energy yield is low, but should be sufficient for certain consumers.
It is known that a solar system on the roof can contribute to energy independence in good weather. At night, however, you have to buy electricity or use a storage solution. The new solar panels, which researchers from Stanford University present in an article in the journal ‘Applied Physics Letters’, should somewhat remedy this.
When generating electricity at night, the researchers do not use the power of the sun, but the temperature differences between the solar panels and the surrounding air. With the help of electrothermal effects and some additional technology in the modules, these are converted into electricity – albeit with a manageable yield.
50 milliwatts per square meter
The system would generate an electricity yield of 50 milliwatts per square meter of solar surface — much less than in daylight, but twice as much as what previous prototypes would have generated, the researchers emphasize. The energy yield should be further increased, in theory up to two watts per square meter should be possible.
The system is therefore not suitable for larger consumers at night, but could generate sufficient power to supply less energy-consuming consumers such as LED lamps or smart home sensors. Until now, small consumers have often used rechargeable batteries to bridge the night, which can become fatigued over time.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
