Biomimicry Solar Panels

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Biomimicry solar panels.

Wikpedia puts it better. A host of new technologies have been inspired by the natural world as designers increasingly look to biomimicry when to creating new ideas for wind turbines solar cells and hydropower. Students drew this concept from research on traditional fluorescent solar concentrators which use luminescent paint to concentrate absorbed uv rays and emit at longer wavelengths. The concept of imitating natural systems in the built environment is known as biomimicry and it holds great promise for advancements in many areas of technology including solar.

How they work is in through the use of small flexible solar cells which mimic leaves. In such a solar plant an array of mirrors redirects the light to a central point where the rays are converted to electricity. When the solar concentrator is placed next to a thin film solar panel the printed area reflects the uv light on the panel increasing the current produced. One of the most recognisable examples of biomimicry is velcro the original hook and loop fastener inspired by the hooked seed pods of burdock plants.

Biomimicry is the art of using the natural world as a basis for man made designs. Often biomimetic designs come from university research leading to patented products which could optimise the power environment. A butterfly wing perhaps not. Biomimicry from bios meaning life and mimesis meaning to imitate is a relatively new science that studies nature its models systems processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably.

Several new cutting edge research project are looking at biomimetic solutions to solar s nagging problems. If static solar panels could passively do the same analyst. So could nature hold the answer to unlocking renewable energy. But wind turbines or solar panels spread over a large enough area.

Scientists from mit and rwth aachen looked at the geometric arrangement in sunflowers during their research to reduce the land use of concentrated solar power plants. Solar panels are usually made of thick solar cells and are positioned at an angle to get the most amount of light from the sun as it moves throughout the day.