Media.Player

Electricity Generation from Visible and Infrared Lights Using Photovoltaics

Summary

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a way to place and effectively use solar plants on land that is also used for agriculture. This is possible through the usage of dichroic mirrors, which split sunlight into two parts, visible light and infrared light. The infrared light is collected and turned into electrical energy while the visible light is rerouted using fiber optics to provide visible light to grow plants underneath the solar collectors or to provide interior lighting. It is also possible to use both the infrared light and the visible light as sources of electrical energy if desired when crops are not being grown.

Technology Benefits

Maximizes the generation of electricity Allows solar plants to be placed over farmland Collects both visible and infrared light

Technology Application

Development of remote electrical grids Multipurpose farmland Solar energy

Detailed Technology Description

Rakesh AgrawalPurdue Chemical EngineeringSolar Energy Research GroupLiquid Fuels Research GroupSeparations Research Group

Countries

United States

Application No.

None

*Abstract

*Background

Solar power has the potential to provide clean, inexpensive energy for all; however, there are some major limitations that must first be addressed. Unlike wind energy or fossil fuels, solar plants cannot be used in conjunction with farmland or any other usable land because of the large shadows cast by solar arrays. Due to competition for land with agriculture in large parts of the country coupled with the large footprint of solar energy plants, such plants are often in remote locations.

*IP Issue Date

None

*IP Type

Provisional

*Stage of Development

Concept developed

*Web Links

Purdue Office of Technology CommercializationPurdueInnovation and EntrepreneurshipRakesh AgrawalPurdue Chemical EngineeringSolar Energy Research GroupLiquid Fuels Research GroupSeparations Research Group

Country/Region

USA