October 30, 2009
A solar panel company has found that a powerful transistor developed by Oregon State University can be successfully applied to photovoltaic technology.
Colin Williams, chief executive officer of California-based Xtreme Energetics, said that the transparent transistors, currently licensed to computing giant Hewlett Packard, do not need sun-tracking technology to boost their efficiency.
Speaking to DJC Oregon, Mr Williams explained that the transistors can focus the sun´s beams onto the photovoltaic materials inside solar panels at any angle due to their transparency.
"[Transparency] gives you the opportunity to put artistic colouring behind the panel. You can build it into the building. Any panel that is more easily integrated into the structure or skin of the building is a positive," he went on to say.
Recent research from Ohio State University found that the power production of solar panels can be improved by as much as 12 per cent by adding pieces of silver semiconductor to the devices.
Rapid Electronics is a leading UK supplier of electronic components, electrical products and industrial equipment to the Electrical Contractors sector.
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