Developed “solar leaf” that produces more energy from solar panels, as well as water

Researchers from Imperial College London have invented a new leaf-like design that harvests and generates photovoltaic solar energy and produces fresh water by mimicking the processes found in real plants. As it is known, photovoltaic solar energy is obtained by converting sunlight into electricity, but the efficiency here limits production. Imperial researchers were able to improve efficiency by developing a leaf-like design.

More efficient than traditional solar panels

The new photovoltaic leaf (PV-leaf) technology uses low-cost materials and could inspire a new generation of renewable energy technologies, according to Imperial College London. A series of experiments show that PV sheets can generate over 10 percent more electricity than conventional solar panels, which lose 70 percent of incoming solar energy to the environment.

The developed PV-leaf design not only produces energy. As we said above, it successfully imitates the natural process. Therefore, besides energy production, water production is also provided. According to the researchers, the PV-leaf design, if used efficiently, is capable of producing more than 40 billion cubic meters of fresh water per year by 2050. The artificial leaf is designed to eliminate the need for pumps, fans, controllers and expensive porous materials, while also providing thermal energy. In addition, the new solution can adapt to various solar conditions, as well as tolerate ambient temperatures.

be inspired by nature

A normal plant leaf consists of different structures that allow water to be transported from the roots of the plant to the leaves through a process called transpiration. Inspired by plant leaves, the PV-leaf concept mimics the transpiration process by allowing water to move, disperse and evaporate. Natural fibers mimic leaf vein bundles, while hydrogels mimic spongy cells, so PV-leaf can remove heat generated in solar cells effectively and cost-effectively.

In the tests, it was determined that the PV-leaf design reached a temperature of 43.2 C, while the reference solar panel design reached a temperature of 68.8 C. The PV leaf achieved 15.0 percent power conversion efficiency, 0.63 V open circuit voltage and 0.77 fill factor, while the reference cell achieved 13.2 percent efficiency, 0.58 V open circuit voltage and 0.75 fill factor. .

Scholars also note that the capital cost of additional components required by PV-leaf is about $1.1/m2, which is about two percent of the cost of conventional solar panels. Scholars also claim that the device can produce an additional 1.1 L/h/m2 of fresh water under 1000 W/m of solar radiation.

The author of the study, Dr. Gan Huang said: “This innovative design has enormous potential to significantly improve the performance of solar panels, while also providing cost effectiveness and practicality.”