Although today’s electronic devices are capable of performing highly complex tasks with minimal power consumption, millions are produced every year. All of these grid-connected devices consume a great deal of energy, which is why one company has created the first Bluetooth-enabled solar panel, a milestone in the history of technology that could change everything.
The Bluetooth-enabled solar panel: Goodbye to photovoltaic energy as we know
Fifty years ago, electronic calculators began to be manufactured that included a small solar cell capable of capturing the few photons of ambient light to power the device. These small cells offer great efficiency in producing electricity from an almost negligible amount of light that can come from sunlight, artificial light or any other source.
However, technology has come a long way and these tiny panels are not capable of producing enough power to run the complex components of our smart devices. But today’s highly efficient photovoltaic generators such as the diamond solar panel are not feasible at such small scales.
The Swedish company Exeger has seen great potential in this old technology and, after years of development, they have managed to create the first solar panel that works with Bluetooth. It is the Powerfoyle voltaic cells, which have advanced materials, which offer great efficiency to convert household light into energy that you can use in smart devices.
Technology inspired by seaweed: New solar panel to revolutionize energy at home
The Swedes compare their invention to seaweed, which is able to photosynthesize at great depths by taking advantage of the weak sunlight that manages to reach the environments inhabited by these life forms. In the same way, the new Powerfoyle photovoltaic cells developed by Exeger bring this concept to the power supply of smart technology.
The structure of these small-sized panels makes it possible to take advantage of any light source in the home to charge the batteries of complex devices such as headphones and Bluetooth speakers. The secret lies in the new patented electrodes that offer an efficiency 1000 times higher than the solar panels that are commonly used.
According to company officials, this Bluetooth-enabled solar panel is the biggest breakthrough since 1985, when the first flexible solar cells were created that would later begin to be seen in a variety of small electronic devices. They also announce that they are ready to start producing some 2.5 million square meters of Powerfoyle solar cells.
Tempering expectations: Scientists cannot believe this efiiciency from new solar panels
The white paper detailing Powerfoyle’s features and performance gives us a clearer picture of the capabilities of these small solar panels. It is currently capable of producing around 0.6 V when exposed to a source of between 100 and 1000 lux. This means it would require the light of a 5000 K LED.
However, Powerfoyle’s technology is very promising because, although it cannot completely supply the power consumption of a cell phone, the company estimates that it can supply 50% of the device’s energy demand. This would substantially increase the autonomy of the batteries of smart devices, reducing their electrical demand.
With an output power of between 6 and 57 microwatts, the company believes its product has the potential to be successfully sold and incorporated into any Bluetooth device in the near future.
Towards a new era of wireless electricity
The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could be solved to a large extent by reducing the demand on electricity grids. This is why many experts and companies around the world are working on technologies such as this solar panel for Bluetooth devices or the refrigerator that works without electricity.
