Wake Forest University Researchers Introduce Polymer-Based Solar-Thermal Equipment

A new research effort by Wake Forest University has announced the introduction of a polymer-based solar-thermal equipment to produce power from visible sunlight as well as from its heat. The new advancement is anticipated to bring down the cost of heating homes by around 40%.

Unlike the geothermal pumps that collect heat from the ground or air, the new appliance incorporates a fluid that runs through a roof placed solar module to collect heat from the sun while the solar cells of the module produces electricity utilizing the solar light. The new research conducted by Wake Forest University located Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials department has appeared in the March issue of Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells journal indicates that a normal rooftop solar installation will waste nearly 75% of the sun energy at any given point of time because it is not equipped to accumulate the longest wavelengths of sun light also known as infrared heat. Also such cells, which are more active only from 10a.m to 2 p.m, miss the availability of sun during the other periods.

The solar device utilizes the inside curves to collect visible sun light and heat of the infrared rays all through the day thus providing power for the extended part of the day than a normal solar cell. The structure of the device and its capability to capture solar light even at slanting angles makes it convenient for roof integration and it can be manufactured to remain identical to most of the current roofing tiles produced now-a-days.

Source: http://www.wfu.edu/