Hyderabad, April 20 (Maxim News): An innovation with the potential to herald a new era in renewable energy, Stanford University researchers have developed a new technology allowing solar panels to continue generating electricity at night, under moonlight, and even when it rains or is overcast.
Yes, the Stanford University researchers have addressed the perennial problem of solar panels unable to generate electricity at night.
They (Stanford researchers) have figured out a way to convert the night sky into power supplies by means of radiative cooling. Popularly called ‘moonlight panels‘, this technology employed developed by Stanford researcher Professor Shanhui Fan, utilises radioactive cooling, a natural process where heat moves away from a surface, especially on a clear night when the Earth radiates infrared energy into space. This temperature difference between an object and the surrounding air can then be used to produce electricity. The unique innovation has the promise to transform sustainable energy, particularly for off-grid applications, although the invention is still at a very early stage, researchers said.
Prof Shanhui and his team attached thermoelectric generators to modified commercial solar panels to collect the dissipating heat, yielding small amounts of usable power. The altered panels yield 50 milliwatts per square meter at night.
“While this is much less than the performance of 200 watts per square meter generated by typical solar panels for a day. It is still sufficient for tiny devices such as LEDs and environmental sensors. Although it is very modest energy generation, there is significant potential for improvement,” the lead researcher, Shanhu9i Fan, in the Stanford website, said.
“The moonlight panel technology can perfectly fit (integrated) into the existing solar panel technology because the components can be retrofitted into existing solar cells. It would be a perfect and affordable step in improving renewable energy reliability,” the researcher said.
This new technology has the potential to minimise the dependence on batteries, which are expensive and polluting, due to mineral extraction. By powering environmental sensors, IOT devices, and other low-power equipment directly without batteries, it could lead to a reduced ecological footprint from battery manufacture and disposal.
Nighttime solar panels would thus bridge the gap during night hours or the shaded periods when sunshine is otherwise unavailable. Consequently, solar energy adoption could improve significantly in areas with limited sunlight, researchers added. (Maxim News)
More Stories…
Telangana Government Calls For Convergence Of Departments To End Human Trafficking And Bonded Labour
DGP calls for proactive identification of victims, timely investigations, and strong convictions Hyderabad, 19th April 2026: The Women Safety Wing (WSW), Telangana Police, in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM), conducted a State-Level Convergence Workshop on Combating Human Trafficking Pertaining to Bonded Labour at Marigold Hotel, Begumpet, Hyderabad. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp The workshop brought together over 200…
Indo-US Trade Deal May Hurt Small Businesses: Hyderabad DCC Chief
Hyderabad, April 18: The Indo US trade deal may hurt small businesses and industries, Hyderabad District Congress Committee president Syed Khalid Saifullah said on Saturday. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp He criticised the agreement while addressing a Maha Dharna organised by the Indian Youth Congress at Indira Park. He warned that rising imports from the…
Rahul Gandhi Questions New Women Reservation Bill Move
Hyderabad, April 18: Rahul Gandhi questioned the Centre over introducing a new Women Reservation Bill despite the earlier law passed in 2023. He made the remarks while addressing a public rally in Tamil Nadu. Here To Join Us On WhatsApp He alleged that the new proposal included delimitation provisions within the bill. According to him,…
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates
