Researchers develop new solar energy solution

September 16, 2015 0 By Tami Hood

University of Michigan researchers create new solar cells that can track the sun’s movement

Researchers from the University of Michigan have developed new solar cells that are more efficient and capable of tracking the sun’s movements. The new solar cells may be a boon for homeowners interested in solar energy, as they will provide consumers with a way to make better use of clean power. There are already sun-tracking solar panels available in the market, but these solutions are often part of complex and expensive systems that homeowners cannot generally afford.

New solar cells are based on kirigami designs and make use of lightweight material

Researchers based the design of the new solar cells off of the Japanese art of kirigami, which is similar to origami. The new solar cells use lightweight materials that are more efficient at absorbing sunlight than more conventional materials. These solar cells were designed using kirigami lattice structures and the cells can also track the movement of the sun, which makes the solar cells more capable of generating electrical power than their more conventional counterparts.

Homeowners continue to show a great deal of interest in solar energy solutions

Solar Energy Research - University of MichiganSolar energy has been gaining more popularity in recent years, especially among homeowners. Many consumers are looking for ways to break away from conventional forms of energy in an effort to save money. For many, solar power has become an attractive prospect, as it provides homeowners with a way to make use of renewable energy at a relatively low cost. Installing solar energy systems on a property is expensive, but more solar developers are beginning to offer financing plans that make installation less of a burden on homeowners.

Solar cells may be less expensive than conventional photovoltaic solutions

The new solar cells are meant to be less expensive, which will make them more attractive to consumers interested in solar energy. It may be some time before these solar cells become available in the commercial market, however, as researchers from the University of Michigan are still experimenting with ways to improve the capabilities of these cells.

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