Beyond its well-known health benefits, fish oil could be a game-changer in next-generation solar panels, holding the promise of unparalleled efficiency. Read on to find out more.
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The Discovery
A team of researchers from South Korea achieved a groundbreaking breakthrough by applying a fish oil and water-based emulsion as a filter over solar panels. This unique emulsion has the remarkable ability to capture ultraviolet (UV) light and convert it into thermal energy. If you’re considering solar panel installation in Weston, this innovative approach may significantly improve the conversion efficiency of future installations.
Indeed, services offering solar panel installation Weston and elsewhere are set to benefit from these advances.
Versatile Emulsion Technology
Professor Jae Won Lee, leading the research at the Korea Maritime & Ocean University, emphasised the adaptability of emulsion technology. It can be seamlessly integrated into existing solar systems, simplifying the transition to this groundbreaking technology.
The Innovative Solution
Scientists have worked out how to fix heating issues by creating PVT systems (photovoltaic-thermal) that use a special coolant fluid to carry away excess heat generated by PV modules. This cooling process significantly increases the modules’ efficiency. Researchers have also explored using liquid filters to ‘decouple’ PVT systems to capture sunlight wavelengths that minimally contribute to generating electricity, such as UV, near-infrared, and visible light.
Fish Oil’s Remarkable Abilities
The research led by Professor Lee and his team revealed that a combination of water and fish oil absorbs both UV light and infrared efficiently, enhancing how well PVT systems can harvest energy.
Astounding Results
The university reported that the fish oil filter achieved an impressive conversion efficiency of 84.4%, outperforming heat exchangers (70.9%) and de-coupled PVT systems using water filters (79.3%). Furthermore, it effectively reduced the temperature of the modules, further enhancing efficiency.
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Adaptability to Seasonal Changes
What’s most intriguing about this discovery is its adaptability to changing seasons. During the summer, the system can bypass the liquid filter to maximise electricity production, while in the winter, the filter can capture thermal energy for heating applications.