-
Nanotechnology antenna improves energy capturingSolar panels can convert solar energy to electrical current at about a 5 percent ratio. Nanotechnology has provided a means to eliminate the photovoltaic cell and create tiny antenna with a capture rate of 80 percent of rays. The breakthrough in technology is attaching a nanoantenna to the cell, infrared solar rays cause the antenna to vibrate which creates an electric current. These can be produced in huge volume on small flexible sheets of plastic with embedded metal. The end result is solar panel technology research will likely spell the end of the solar panel. - The new nanotechnology vastly improves the energy capture percent to as high as 85 percent. This is because the antenna can harvest in the infrared range of the spectrum, a step very limited today. The capture is related to the solar rays, the conversion to electricity is related to the conversion rate. Presently there is not a productive, cost effective way to convert the capture, but it should be developed within a few years.
- The electricity produced by a solar panel which is actually a photovoltaic cell array is direct current (DC). Most applications in the home and industry use alternating current (AC). This means the DC current, which is lower voltage than AC, has to be converted for use as AC. The conversion is accomplished by an inverter, a device designed for that specific purpose. Present day solar panel technology research is being done by home builders and scientists to determine the feasibility of whole-dwelling DC current supplied directly from the photovoltaic cell array.
-
Electricity generated directly from the sunDC current supplied by the photovoltaic cell array is likely to be done in a few years time and will absolutely revolutionize the American way of life. Each dwelling would be self-contained and supply its own electricity directly from the sun, eliminating AC power lines, light poles, wires to buildings, power plants, nuclear plants and millions of related jobs.
The development and use of DC at this time would be interim technology as the nanotechnology becomes more applicable, although there is room for both types in the worldwide arena beyond the United States. -
Hydrothermal vent in an earth fissureThe long-term effect of capturing and converting rays along the total wave spectrum is unknown. Stated another way, scientists do not yet know what will happen to the earth or to its atmosphere if the amount of rays now being deflected or absorbed in to the earth are instead captured and used. Solar panel technology requires unobstructed access to the sun, so the widespread residential use could cause hydrothermal vents and deplete a lot of trees, a negative factor with many implications in air quality, outside natural cooling, shelter in the shade, more skin exposure to sun rays, and depleted woodlots. The list is extensive.
