The team did this by devising a nanolayer that can be added to existing perovskite solar panels. This layer uses the triboelectric effect, in which the physical deformation of an object can be converted into an electrical current, to gather energy when raindrops hit the solar panel’s surface. This method doesn’t generate nearly as much electricity as when the panels soak up the sun’s rays, only getting milliwatts per square centimeter. But, it would still be enough to run low-power devices like industrial control units.
Can solar panels generate energy from rain too?
Answer: Potentially.
Tomorrow’s solar panels could get their energy from more than just the sun. New research, recently published in the journal Nano Energy, has found a way that solar panels could generate energy when they are rained on.
The team did this by devising a nanolayer that can be added to existing perovskite solar panels. This layer uses the triboelectric effect, in which the physical deformation of an object can be converted into an electrical current, to gather energy when raindrops hit the solar panel’s surface. This method doesn’t generate nearly as much electricity as when the panels soak up the sun’s rays, only getting milliwatts per square centimeter. But, it would still be enough to run low-power devices like industrial control units.
This nanolayer has two additional beneficial functions. First, it lengthens the lifetime of the solar panel by protecting its surface from damage by chemical interactions in the environment. And second, it increases light absorption, boosting the panel’s productivity when generating power from sunlight.
The team did this by devising a nanolayer that can be added to existing perovskite solar panels. This layer uses the triboelectric effect, in which the physical deformation of an object can be converted into an electrical current, to gather energy when raindrops hit the solar panel’s surface. This method doesn’t generate nearly as much electricity as when the panels soak up the sun’s rays, only getting milliwatts per square centimeter. But, it would still be enough to run low-power devices like industrial control units.
