TECHNOLOGY FOR CHANGE

Martian Dusting Technology Could Improve Terrestrial Solar Panels

Rebecca Kutzer-Rice | Date: 08-31-10 | Comments

After designing self-cleaning solar panels for use in lunar and Mars missions, a team of scientists has brought the technology to Earth. The panels could increase efficiency and decrease costs for large-scale solar installations in deserts.

Table of Contents:

Martian Dusting Technology Could Improve Terrestrial Solar Panels - Cleaning Panels Without Water

Deserts, however, are also dusty and windy�two conditions that cause sediment build-up on solar panels. Researchers compared dust on solar panels to grime on windows�the more residue on a surface, the less sunlight can penetrate it, and thus the less electricity can be produced. Added to this reduction in efficiency is the fact that clean water is often scarce in arid areas; thus, maintenance is expensive and time-consuming.

"A dust layer of one-seventh of an ounce per square yard decreases solar power conversion by 40 percent," Mazumder explained. "In Arizona, dust is deposited each month at about four times that amount. Deposition rates are even higher in the Middle East, Australia and India."

Mazumder and his team had originally been working with NASA to design self-cleaning solar systems for use in lunar and Mars missions. Because Mars, which has a dry, hot environment, is so similar to the arid deserts of Earth, the scientists suspected that terrestrial application of their technology might be quite effective.

"Mars of course is a dusty and dry environment," Mazumder said, "and solar panels powering rovers and future manned and robotic missions must not succumb to dust deposition. But neither should the solar panels here on Earth."

The technology consists of a transparent sheet of electrically sensitive plastic that covers a solar panel. Sensors monitor accumulating dust levels and charge the plastic when concentrations reach a significant level. The charge sends a wave across the solar panel, which launches the dust away.

The process, which takes only 2 minutes, can remove up to 90 percent of accumulated dust. It requires only a small amount of energy and no water to administer the electric shock.
Mazumder envisions the technology allowing for more desert solar power installations. "Less than 0.04 percent of global energy production is derived from solar panels," he said, "but if only 4 percent of the world's deserts were dedicated to solar power harvesting, our energy needs could be completely met worldwide. This self-cleaning technology can play an important ro

Click here for "THINK" Leadership Forum Presentation Videos

IBM Resources

Videos

TWITTER FEED

20 minutes agoGood morning from Los Angeles! #ibmcloud
23 minutes agoThat's it from me! Over to North America.
29 minutes agoThe data processing of Roland Garros 2012 (#RG12) rests on IBM Private Cloud http://t.co/JUaY1ItM [French Press release]
about 2 hours agoIBM Accelerates Business from Supply to Demand with New #Cloud Offerings For Smarter Commerce http://t.co/OFxknOb0 [Press Release]
about 3 hours agoHow IBM #SmartCloud Foundation technology powers cloud adoption? IBM VP @SLHebner explains here http://t.co/sSzfa0O5 [VIDEO]
about 4 hours agoIBM's Fiona Cullen will present ‘The Power of #Cloud: Driving Business Model’ On May 24 @ Utrecht, Netherlands #cloudforum2012 #ibmcloud
about 5 hours agoBlog Post: Why service providers should not ignore cloud http://t.co/ZfQyue4r via @eMarcusNet #thoughtsoncloud
about 6 hours agoHave any #cloudmoment? Share your story with us via Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and tag it. See other stories http://t.co/J4ntsaQ5
about 7 hours agoSign up now for IBM #SmartCloud Enterprise! No charge for select VMs (only till May 28). More Details >> http://t.co/2LEzOUZC #ibmcloud
about 7 hours agoRT @HansMoen: See this video from @IBMCloud to learn how to cut costs in building innovation in your business http://t.co/XOyJoFn6 #clou ...