A three-month trial in Saudi Arabia has shown that a solar panel add-on system will harvest water while not using any electricity by exploiting the day-night warming and cooling of star panels. The system slightly will increase the electricity-generating potency of the panels by keeping them cooler. The new approach uses a layer of gel placed below every solar panel and cased inside of a metal box.
During the day, the box is closed. The sun warms the solar array and the gel beneath it making the water evaporate from the gel. The humidness within the closed box gets so high that the water condenses on the metal and may be drained from the box. During the trial, from May to June 2021, a small image system made 0.6 litres of water per centare of solar array per day. The basic plan isn’t new. However, scientists say that they are the first to make an integrated system that extracts water while additionally generating electricity
One advantage of using the add-on is that no further land is needed and that electricity generation is enhanced slightly. The cooling impact will be enhanced by keeping the condensation box open throughout the day. Scientists envisage making versatile systems that would switch between water extraction and better solar array electricity generation as required.
In the trial, the team used water from the panel to irrigate a small patch of plants. Scientists hope that large-scale systems may turn out food, water and electricity all quickly. However, the planning continues to be at an early stage. Throughout the trial, the team manually opened and closed the condensation boxes. The gel additionally deteriorated somewhat, therefore an additional stable water-absorbing material is required, scientists say.
A company known as Sundrop Farms is already using alternative energy to grow tomatoes in a desert region in Australia. However, its greenhouse system depends on this power to change saltwater pumped up from the near coast. With such inventions like this not only can it secure a future for us on this planet but also make life easier for every living being on this planet.
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