Renewable energy, this is what all nations want and need, however the problem is renewable energy is more expensive than traditional nonrenewable sources of energy. Also, many sources of renewable energy still need technological improvements before they can be used effectively. Many creative and bright scientists know this fact and have been working hard to create ways to harvest natural energy effectively. One such improvement has recently been made, with solar energy.

Solar energy is a very accessible energy source, however the solar panels that have been used for energy are too expensive, but recently new developments in this field have been made in order to make solar energy less expensive. By placing organic dyes on sheets of glass, developers are confident that they have created an effective solar panel that can make solar energy less expensive.

The cost of solar energy has made this form of energy less desirable than traditional fossil fuels. However, MIT researchers have come up with a new “solar concentrator” which they have stated will provide individuals with a better tool to use the energy of the sun. According to researchers the “solar concentrator” (a glass sheet covered in organic dyes) will help concentrate the light onto the solar panes. The dyes are meant to absorb light which will be emitted into the glass, at this point the light will be transmitted to the edge of the pane, where small solar cells will turn the light into electricity.

According to the lead engineer, Marc Baldo, the solar concentrator merely consists of “a piece of glass with a layer of paint on top of it”. Baldo and the rest of the reseachers hope that this device can help improve the cost of solar energy and make its affordability similar to more conventional sources of energy. The team hopes that in the next three years their system will becoming available to the public.

“This accomplishment demonstrates the critical importance of innovative basic research in bringing about revolutionary advances in solar energy utilization in a cost-effective manner,” says Aravinda Kini of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.This development is very encouraging in the fight to replace traditional energy sources with renewable energy.

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