Solar panels make buildings more sustainable and less dependent on power grids for their energy needs. But do they always need to be black or dark blue? More and more companies are finding ways to make efficient solar panels with efficient photovoltaic cells that come in a variety of colors, even transparent, and perhaps most usefully from an architectural standpoint, white.
Researchers have focused on building white solar panels for many reasons. The first is because the color itself is versatile, allowing architects to incorporate them into buildings easily. The second is because white reflects the heat from sunlight, keeping buildings cooler and reducing their energy demands.
Painting a building white can reflect a more significant percentage of sunlight that falls on a building than any other color. Many architects and building owners have taken advantage of this to reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the building, which would otherwise have to be removed by air conditioning.
The effectiveness of white solar panels combines the heat-reflecting properties of white paint with the energy-producing abilities of solar technologies. This gives the best of both worlds when it comes to energy efficiency.
The technology consists of a layer of colored plastic that goes over the solar panel. This layer creates what is known as a scattering filter. A scattering filter reflects all the visible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. At the same time, it is transparent to the invisible parts, such as ultraviolet, which the solar panel needs for electricity production.
This is what makes white solar modules possible. But the research is evolving, and many companies soon hope to be making solar panels in several different colors, extending their usability to many different products and situations.
Typically these companies do not manufacture the solar panels themselves. They simply manufacture the films, sell them to solar module makers, who then apply them during the manufacturing process.
Are White Solar Panels As Efficient As Standard Panels?
White solar panels can be just as efficient as regular blue/black panels, if not more so. However, accurate data on this is still evolving, and there appear to be a few drawbacks.
The technology inside a white solar panel is the same as in a regular solar panel, except that it has a white plastic layer covering the panel. This layer works by scattering visible light when it hits the panel, leaving only the infrared rays to be absorbed. It’s these infrared rays that are needed for electricity production anyway. Everything else just generates heat.
Being white, the solar panels are not absorbing as much heat as they would if they were black. This means the panels can be kept at a lower temperature without needing to resort to air conditioning, which can be expensive.
On the downside, there is some data that the colored covering does impact the output performance of the solar cells. But that is counterbalanced because its reflective surface allows the white solar panel to operate at much lower temperatures than standard PV modules.
Additionally, the white reflective surface can be integrated into existing systems and put on new customized panels during the manufacturing process. The white reflective surface can also be placed on both flat and curved surfaces, making it usable in both constructions as well as in cars and electronic manufacturing.
Do White Solar Panels Cost More Than Standard Panels?
White solar panels are currently only available for commercial purposes so pinpointing their exact price is difficult. It’s safe to say that they do cost considerably more than standard panels due to their size, use, and limited production.
White solar panels are an emerging technology and can be costly to produce. Currently, only a handful of companies make white solar panels. However, many more companies are trying to develop solar technologies that will blend in with a wide variety of products, building types, and colors.
Another component of the cost comes from their size. These are certainly not your average solar panels since they are built-in large sections meant to be installed on roofs or as siding for buildings. So you are not just paying for the color, you are paying for their size, and since they are primarily made for the construction industry, they are likely out of reach for the average consumer.
Do White Solar Panels Have Special Maintenance Requirements?
Both standard and white solar panels require very little maintenance, only needing periodic light cleaning. Routine cleaning ensures that debris such as dirt is not obstructing the sun from hitting the panels.
As we mentioned, white solar panels primarily get used as siding for buildings. This can come with several maintenance challenges. In order to be maximally effective, these panels will require periodic cleaning, and depending on how much of the building is covered, this could add significantly to the maintenance cost.
Top-quality white solar panels are also designed to withstand all kinds of weather and environmental conditions. But they are not entirely indestructible.
Tracking how much energy your panels produce through solar panel monitoring systems is an excellent way to determine when cleaning or maintenance is required. Monitoring will give a good idea of how external factors are affecting the performance of the solar panels. Many monitoring systems also will let you know if a panel is malfunctioning or needs replacing.
Are There Benefits To White Solar Panels?
White solar panels can be more aesthetically pleasing and blend in with many different commercial building types. Another benefit is that you can place them anywhere without worrying about them standing out, and it gives architects much more latitude when designing buildings to include solar technologies.
The blue/black color of solar panels tends to stick out like a sore thumb. This makes businesses reluctant to place them anywhere but their rooftops.
White is a versatile color that’s very desirable in the building industry. But there are other benefits to white solar panels beyond their cosmetic appearance. They are more efficient, keep the solar panels themselves at a lower temperature, and reduce air conditioning costs to keep them cool.