August 23rd, 2010

Self-Cleaning Solar Panels Could Boost Efficiency

The $24 billion solar panel market could use a good dusting. The benefits of solar energy are well-known, but what’s rarely mentioned is its nemesis: dust. Even a little bit—one-seventh of an ounce per square yard—can weaken a panel’s power conversion by 40%.

To tackle the problem, scientists looked to Mars, where similar technology was developed for space missions to the planet. NASA, along… → Read More