Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have introduced a revolutionary solution to address the degradation of solar panels. The researchers, after years of trials, have established a new company called EtaVolt to commercialize their technology. EtaVolt claims to have found a way to rejuvenate existing solar panels without the need for removal, offering a cost-effective alternative to replacement.

The primary issue identified by EtaVolt is light-induced degradation, a phenomenon where sunlight creates "holes" in solar panels, diminishing their performance over time. EtaVolt's Advanced Regeneration Technology scans and repairs these holes using high-intensity light, restoring the panels to optimal performance for up to five years. The procedure is touted to cost only 20% of installing new solar panels and is applicable to 90% of panels currently in use.

Professor Madhavi, Executive Director of NTU's Sustainability Office, emphasizes the environmental impact of traditional solar panel production and highlights EtaVolt's method as a step towards sustainable practices. The company claims its rejuvenation process, likened to patching holes in a bucket, can recover up to 5% of lost field performance in less than five minutes.

Furthermore, EtaVolt is not only focused on revitalizing existing panels but has also developed an automated recycling facility for solar panels. The company aims to achieve on-site PV recycling with its patented containerized recycling tool line, reducing logistics and manpower costs.

Source: cleantechnica.com