KAUST develops new cooling technology for solar panels
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology has developed a composite material that improves the efficiency and lifespan of solar cells through passive cooling.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has made significant strides in research by creating a new composite material designed to enhance the performance of solar panels.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, this breakthrough addresses issues with commercial solar cells that currently convert only around 20 percent of sunlight into electricity while the rest is absorbed as heat or reflected away.
The developed nanomaterials are intended to provide passive cooling solutions for various applications, including solar cells and agricultural greenhouses, without negatively impacting their performance.
By absorbing moisture from the air at night and releasing it during the day, these materials can keep solar panels cool when deployed in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia.
Preliminary studies suggest that other potential applications include light-emitting devices, which typically experience reduced efficiency at higher temperatures.
The passive cooling technology is claimed to reduce the cost of generating electricity from solar cells by 18 percent and has been tested in different climate conditions, proving effective across cold and rainy regions in the United States.
Experiments conducted by KAUST have reportedly achieved a record-breaking performance in terms of solar cell efficiency due to specialized designs that demonstrate the diverse expertise at the university.
The Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, run by KAUST, aims to support Saudi Arabia's national goals in areas such as artificial intelligence, food security, renewable energy and storage technologies, and smart health.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, this breakthrough addresses issues with commercial solar cells that currently convert only around 20 percent of sunlight into electricity while the rest is absorbed as heat or reflected away.
The developed nanomaterials are intended to provide passive cooling solutions for various applications, including solar cells and agricultural greenhouses, without negatively impacting their performance.
By absorbing moisture from the air at night and releasing it during the day, these materials can keep solar panels cool when deployed in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia.
Preliminary studies suggest that other potential applications include light-emitting devices, which typically experience reduced efficiency at higher temperatures.
The passive cooling technology is claimed to reduce the cost of generating electricity from solar cells by 18 percent and has been tested in different climate conditions, proving effective across cold and rainy regions in the United States.
Experiments conducted by KAUST have reportedly achieved a record-breaking performance in terms of solar cell efficiency due to specialized designs that demonstrate the diverse expertise at the university.
The Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, run by KAUST, aims to support Saudi Arabia's national goals in areas such as artificial intelligence, food security, renewable energy and storage technologies, and smart health.
