Smart Solar Leap: New Material Enhances Power and Durability

06 Jun Smart Solar Leap: New Material Enhances Power and Durability

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs”  and the Topic of  Smart Solar Leap: New Material Enhances Power and Durability

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GS-3- Science and technology- Smart Solar Leap: New Material Enhances Power and Durability

FOR PRELIMS

What is passive cooling, and why is it important for solar panel efficiency?

FOR MAINS

What are the advantages of the lithium chloride and sodium polyacrylate composite over traditional cooling methods?

Why in the News? 

An international team of researchers led by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia has developed a new acrylate-based composite material that improves the performance of solar cells.

Development of the New Composite Material

Need for Passive Cooling in Solar Technology

1. Heat Reduces Efficiency: Solar panels convert only about 20% of sunlight into electricity. The remaining energy is absorbed as heat, which lowers output and reduces panel lifespan.
2. Accelerated Degradation: Higher operating temperatures cause faster wear and tear, leading to early replacement and higher maintenance costs.
3. Limitations of Active Cooling: Conventional cooling systems (like fans and pumps) consume electricity, increase system complexity, and add to operational costs, undermining overall energy efficiency.
4. Passive Cooling Advantage: Works without using external power. Materials used in passive systems cool panels naturally by managing heat and moisture.
5. Sustainable and Cost-effective: Passive cooling is low-cost, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly, making it ideal for scaling solar technology in hot and arid regions.
6. Enhances Power Output: By reducing operating temperature, passive cooling can improve energy generation efficiency, up to 12.9% gain observed in field tests.
7. Extends Panel Lifespan: Cooler panels experience less thermal stress, which can extend their operational life by over 200%, reducing the frequency and cost of replacements.
8. Supports Renewable Energy Goals: In regions with intense sunlight like deserts, passive cooling enables more sustainable and reliable solar energy production, aligning with global climate and energy targets.

Development of the New Composite Material

1. Research Collaboration: Developed by an international team led by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, through its Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies.
2. Material Composition: The composite is made of lithium chloride and sodium polyacrylate—a low-cost, safe, and non-toxic acrylate-based polymer.
3. Hygroscopic Functionality: The material absorbs moisture at night and releases it during the day through evaporation, enabling passive cooling without external energy.
4. Cost-Effective Fabrication: Unlike traditional hygroscopic materials, it requires no harmful chemicals or complex reagents, making it scalable and eco-friendly.
5. Cooling Efficiency: In field tests in desert conditions, it lowered solar panel temperatures by 9.4°C, leading to higher energy output.
6. Performance Boost: Resulted in 12.9% higher power output and over 200% increase in panel lifespan, while reducing energy cost by nearly 20%.

Working Principle of the Composite Material

1. Hygroscopic Absorption at Night: The composite, made of lithium chloride and sodium polyacrylate, absorbs moisture from the atmosphere during the night when humidity levels are higher.
2. Moisture Release During the Day: As the sun rises and temperature increases, the material releases the absorbed water through evaporation, which draws heat away from the solar panel surface.
3. Evaporative Cooling Effect: This phase change (liquid to vapor) absorbs heat energy, reducing the panel temperature by an average of 9.4°C under desert conditions.
4. Non-Electric Cooling Mechanism: The entire process is passive, requiring no electricity, fans, or pumps, making it ideal for off-grid or remote solar installations.
5. Maintains Structural Compatibility: The thin coating does not interfere with sunlight absorption or panel structure, preserving photovoltaic efficiency.
6. Continuous Reusability: The cyclical absorption and release of moisture allows the material to function repeatedly, providing long-term cooling benefits.

Advantages Over Existing Cooling Technologies

1. Energy-Free Operation: Unlike conventional active cooling systems (fans, pumps), the composite requires no external power, reducing operational energy costs.
2. Cost-Effective: Made from inexpensive, widely available materials like sodium polyacrylate, it significantly lowers the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)—by nearly 20%.
3. Extended Panel Lifespan: Reduces panel temperature by 9.4°C, which leads to over 200% increase in lifespan by preventing thermal degradation.
4. Boosts Power Output: Improves solar panel efficiency by 12.9% through better thermal management and reduced overheating.
5. Eco-Friendly Fabrication: The material is produced without toxic chemicals or complex procedures, making it environmentally sustainable.
6. Low Maintenance: Unlike mechanical cooling systems, it has no moving parts, requiring minimal upkeep and reducing chances of mechanical failure.
7. Works in Harsh Environments: Proven effectiveness in desert climates, making it ideal for solar installations in arid regions with high solar radiation.

Implications for Renewable Energy Adoption

1. Increased Efficiency of Solar Power: By enhancing energy output by 12.9%, this innovation makes solar energy more reliable and productive, encouraging broader adoption.
2. Reduced Operating Costs: With passive cooling lowering energy and maintenance costs, the overall cost-effectiveness of solar installations improves, especially in large-scale projects.
3. Extended Equipment Lifespan: A lifespan increase of over 200% reduces replacement cycles, leading to lower lifecycle costs and improved return on investment (ROI).
4. Better Performance in Extreme Climates: Its success in hot and arid environments makes solar energy more viable in desert and tropical regions, which are rich in solar potential.
5. Accelerated Decarbonization: As the efficiency and affordability of solar improve, more regions can transition from fossil fuels, supporting national and global climate goals.
6. Encourages Technological Innovation: Demonstrates the value of materials science in energy tech, inspiring further R&D into smart, passive solutions across the renewable sector.
7. Boosts Energy Access in Remote Areas: Energy-free cooling is particularly beneficial for off-grid and rural solar systems, helping achieve energy equity and development goals.

Conclusion

The development of the new acrylate-based composite material by KAUST marks a major advancement in solar energy technology. By enabling passive, energy-free cooling, it significantly boosts solar panel efficiency, extends their lifespan, and reduces costs. This innovation not only enhances the viability of solar energy in harsh climates but also aligns with global sustainability goals by supporting wider adoption of clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. It highlights the transformative role of materials science in accelerating the renewable energy transition

Download Plutus IAS Current Affairs (Eng) 6th June 2025

Prelims Questions

Q. With reference to the new passive cooling material developed by KAUST, consider the following statements:
1. It uses lithium chloride and sodium polyacrylate to cool solar panels through a hygroscopic mechanism.
2. The material requires active cooling devices like fans or pumps to function effectively.
3. It led to a power output increase of over 12% and extended panel lifespan in desert conditions.
4. The fabrication process of the material involves toxic chemicals and complex reagents.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: A

Mains Questions

Q. Discuss the significance of the new passive cooling composite material developed by KAUST in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of solar energy systems. In what ways can such innovations contribute to achieving global renewable energy goals?

                                                                                                                                                         (250 words, 15 marks)