Solar panels, both conventional PV and even third-generation, organic solar cells, absorb visible and, in some cases, ultra-violet light. All of these technologies are limited by shading, rainy days, and nightfall. Basically, photovoltaics, both the old and the new, collect direct sunlight. But what, researchers are asking, about indirect light?

Indirect light reflects, in the form of heat, off of buildings during the day and at night. This infrared energy is not limited to solar energy either. Energy radiating from machines and electronic devices could also be collected and recycled into usable electricity. Sound pretty radical? Well it is, and some very complex science at that. Nonetheless, scientists are becoming confident enough in the feasibility of infrared solar technology that they are going public and getting excited about it.

The idea of infrared energy collection is not entirely new. In fact, it was first suggested in 1972 and, in 2001, Yogi Goswami, now co-director of the Clean Energy Research Center, lectured about it and professed its rise to prominence. The fullness of that rise is not yet realized but, scientists say, the technology has now caught up with the idea.

Computer simulations predicted that the infrared antennas could harvest up to 90 percent of infrared radiation. Prototypes have confirmed these numbers. Now the problem is conversion of these very high-frequency alternating currents to storable direct current at adequate, cost-effective efficiencies: a problem solar enthusiasts are used to hearing about. Yet, scientists and researchers involved in this latest twist on solar power are optimistic; “I’m bullish on it…” says Goswami, “…I feel very confident it will eventually be on the market.”

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Francis Sedgemore

Posted on October 3rd in Solar News by Dan.