Photovoltaic panels double the power generation

Researchers at Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) in Gandhinagar have proposed a novel method to enhance electricity generation from a solar power station. They say that stacking up photovoltaic (PV) panels makes for more efficient generation of power without having to use huge plots of land to lay out the panels 1.

The second generation of photovoltaic materials is based on the use of thin-film deposits of semiconductors. These devices were initially designed to be high-efficiency, multiple junction photovoltaic cells. Later, the advantage of using a thin-film of material was noted, reducing the mass of material required for cell design.

The International Renewable Energy Agency warns defunct solar panels could create up to 78 million tons of waste by 2050 if not recycled. Solar power is already displaying its significant potential to play a critical role in the energy transition.

"It increases up to 445 kWh — an increase of over 70 per cent — with the two-layer solar panels separated by 10 meters," they report. The output varies depending on the separation between the two layers of photovoltaic panels according to the researchers who conducted the study for separation distances varying from one metre to ten metres.

The design allows solar energy to be captured from both sides, with the back panel achieving an efficiency of 91-93% of the front side. Developed at the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the bifacial solar cells harvest sunlight that is reflected onto the back of the cells.

According to the GERMI scientists, the concept of stacked PV panels can open up new avenues towards large scale generation even for the small scale solar power plant. "The two-layer PV system can be implemented in all the roof top installations around the world," Harinarayana said.