The renewables industry is constantly looking to improve its methods and become more efficient. Scientists in Japan may have found a new approach: replacing the silicon in solar panels with titanium.
What materials are currently used in solar panels?
When you install solar panels, which are available from companies such as gsmlimited.com/services/solar-panels/gloucester/, they are generally made of silicon. Effective at converting sunlight into electricity, silicon has been available in sufficient amounts without prohibitive costs in terms of money or time; however, the demand for solar panels is growing considerably, which has led scientists to start searching for more abundant and efficient alternatives.
Why would titanium be an improvement?
Using titanium for the manufacture of solar panels is not a new idea. Titanium is known for being both strong and lightweight; what’s more, its corrosion resistance makes it durable and able to withstand exposure to extreme weather and other stressors. In particular, the titanium used in solar panels will be titanium dioxide combined with selenium. This will allow for increased efficiency in the energy conversion process and improved adhesion.
Until this point, the main barrier to the use of titanium in solar panels is that there is a complex, resource-intensive process to extract the titanium ore and remove any oxygen. What the scientists, who are based at the University of Tokyo, have managed to do is create a new process for titanium extraction in the form of one that uses yttrium. Yttrium, better known for its presence in superconductors and LEDs, enables the oxygen levels in the titanium to be reduced to 0.2% for a much lower cost. The only concern is that the yttrium will damage the titanium’s corrosion resistance, as more research will need to be done before titanium solar panels can be made more widely available.
It is too soon to fully assess the impact of titanium solar panels, but they have the potential to make a significant impact on the industry. You may not be able to buy titanium solar panels Gloucester just yet, but perhaps you will in the not-too-distant future.