More efficient than traditional solar panels
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
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.”