New solar panels?

Scientists at NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology) are working with a new type of solar panel which is more efficient and cheaper to produce. They are working with an algae type called diatom, and they are trying to copy the amazing ability to absorb sunlight which it has developed during millions of years of evolution. The shell of the diatom is made of glass. It has small pores and symmetrical, but complicated patterns where the sunlight enters without it being able to leave. The scientists say “This is exactly how a god solar panel should behave”.

 

We decided to take a walk around in Sandvika, the city were we go to school, to see if we could find places suitable for solar-panels. We found several places were one could have used the space more efficiently. We brought with us our mobile phones and took some awesome pictures of where we think the space could have been used more efficiently.

 

These are pictures of a parking lot on the top level of Sandvika Mall. Often, this parking lot is less used than the indoor parking lots bellow. Therefore we think that it is a good idea to build a roof here where there should be solar panels on top. It is the perfect places for solar panels because there is nothing that will cast a shadow on to the roof, and therefore the sun will shine with maximum effect here.

 

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This is a perfect place for solar panels

 

This i our school, it would look good with solar panels

 

 

All of this roof could be solar panels!

 

There are many opportunities!

 

 

This post was written as collaboration post with my fellow student Jørgen. Links to his blog:

 

http://theamazingbookblogg.blogspot.no/