Fractal solar panels: Optimizing aesthetic and electrical performances

PLoS One. 2020 Mar 10;15(3):e0229945. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229945. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Solar energy technologies have been plagued by their limited visual appeal. Because the electrical power generated by solar panels increases with their surface area and therefore their occupancy of the observer's visual field, aesthetics will play an increasingly critical role in their future success in urban environments. Inspired by previous psychology research highlighting the aesthetic qualities of fractal patterns, we investigated panel designs featuring fractal electrodes. We conducted behavioral studies which compared observers' preferences for fractal and conventional bus-bar electrode patterns, along with computer simulations which compared their electrical performances. This led us to develop a hybrid electrode pattern which best combines the fractal and bus-bar designs. Here we show that the new hybrid electrode matches the electrical performance of bus-bars in terms of light transmission and minimizing electrical power losses, while benefiting from the superior aesthetics of fractal patterns. This innovative integration of psychology and engineering studies provides a framework for developing novel electrode patterns with increased implementation and acceptance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Electric Power Supplies*
  • Electrodes*
  • Equipment Design*
  • Esthetics
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Fractals*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Solar Energy*
  • Sunlight
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / statistics & numerical data
  • Visual Perception
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

RPT received funding from the W.M. Keck Foundation (http://staging.wmkeck.org/home) and a Research Council for Science Advancement Cottrell Scholarship (http://rescorp.org/cottrell-scholars). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.