In this written evidence, Professor Hussam Jouhara looks at onshore solar energy technologies and adresses the quastion: What role can developments in solar panel technology play in the UK’s transition to net zero? The evidence states that:
- The efficiency of a solar panel is adversely affected by increased temperature. They are tested at 25ºC, but exposure to sunlight increases their temperature and so reduces their efficiency.
- There are several variations on the methods of cooling photovoltaic cells, including those that utilise the recovered heat for water heating. The integration of flat heat-pipe technologies into a complete energy-active roofing envelope material – thereby doing away with the need for other more traditional methods of roof cladding.
- This hybrid technology then being used to pre-heat domestic hot water for radiators, baths, and showers – meeting 60% of a dwelling's hot water needs for days with low levels of solar radiation and 100% on days with high solar radiation – whilst (at the same time) also generating electricity.
Read the written evidence here
More about the inquiry: Technological innovations and climate change: onshore solar energy