Doctoral students in the School of Architecture & Design (ARC/D) have presented ways of optimizing captured sunlight in experiments at the Center for Design Research. This experiment is in line with the burgeoning field of solar power due to global warming.

1. A Study Shows Optimizing
the Capture of Sunlight
Makes Solar Energy More
Efficient
Iron Edison

2. Doctoral students in the School of Architecture &
Design (ARC/D) have presented ways of optimizing
captured sunlight in experiments at the Center for
Design Research. This experiment is in line with the
burgeoning field of solar power due to global warming.
Optimizing Sunlight for Higher Efficiency
One of the two researchers, Mohammed Alshayeb,
explains that 77 degrees Fahrenheit is the standard
testing condition for measuring the efficiency of a
photovoltaic panel. He adds that the performance of
PV panels decreases with every increase in
temperature.
Alshayeb aims to extract the heat out of the panels
once the temperature rises above 77. He experimented
three types of roof materials (highly reflective - white,
conventional - black, and vegetated - green) to
compare the effects.
The experiment shows that white roofs slightly
decreased the efficiency of the solar panels because of
the heat reflected up the panels. This contrasts the
industry practice wherein white roofs are favorable
than black.
Moreover, the best performance comes from the one
installed on the green roof. It generates an estimated
of 1.4 percent more energy, unlike the white and black
roofs.
Another student who worked on this project theorized
that transferring light inside the building will be more
efficient through the Dynamic Thermal-Adaptive
Curved Light shelf (DTACL) system. This was based on
the initial findings of her experiments.

3. Why Solar Panels Matter
There are drawbacks to solar panels that prevent some people from switching to this renewable
source of energy; for one, not all roofs are ideal for solar energy. Some do not have sufficient space
while others have complicated rooflines that limit installation. Some people may also be put off by
the initial cost.
Installation of solar panels, however, delivers long-term savings. Wal-Mart, for example, expects to
reap $1 billion in energy savings by 2020. For residential users, further savings can occur through
federal tax claims and incentives (e.g., cash back, waived fees, and property tax exemption).
Solar power is not only cost-efficient. It also helps reduce air pollution, particularly from coal power
plants. Since it is emission-free, solar panels are safer for the environment and communities.

4. Sources:
https://news.ku.edu/2017/12/22/experiments-boost-solar-power
https://ironedison.com/
https://usgreentechnology.com/importance-solar-energy-economy/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/finance/save-money-putting-solar-panels-roof/
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-solar-energy.php
https://www.pvbuzz.com/solar-panel-efficiency/