Colored solar panels in cities and towns of Turkmenistan – reality or fiction
The group of researchers from AMOLF, the University of Amsterdam and the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) have crated a technology of efficient green colored solar cell panels. The new design is represented in details in Applied Physics Letters magazine of American Institute of Physics. The compact arrays of silicon nanoparticles imprinted in the front module glass of a silicon solar cell disperse a narrow waveband of the solar spectrum and give a green appearance from different angles. The remaining part of the solar spectrum is efficiently processed into electricity. As compared with the usual solar panel, the current generated by the green solar cell is only reduced by 10%. Green solar panel design is based on the Mie effect, which means the backscattering of particular lightwaves. The integrated line consist of silicon nanocylinders with a diameter of 100 nm. The scattering effect depends on correlation of size of nanocylinders and specific wavelength. In present case, the authors of research have focused only on absorption of the green part of spectrum. However, they are planning to design the red, blue and white solar panels. Distinct from existing colored solar panels, the new designed one ensures firm appearance from various angles of observation. The results of research open broad opportunities for using new colored solar panels in urban planning and landscaping. Along with serving as alternative energy source, for example, green solar cells can be concealed in green park zones and red one would match roofing. Taking into account, huge potential of Turkmenistan in solar energy development and recent researches in sphere of producing silicon from sands of Karakum, as well as introduction of innovations into urban engineering, there is a good chance that in nearest future the white colored solar panels will decorate the walls of buildings in Ashgabat and other cities of the country.
