Open AccessSOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN AESTHETIC AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Author(s) -
Y. Tripanagnostopoulos,
G. Leftheriotis,
Alexandros A. Vradis,
D. Anastasopoulos,
Nikolaos Spiliopoulos,
Panagiotis Priftis,
Ioannis D. Manariotis,
Panagiotis Lianos,
Ηλίας Σταθάτος
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
contemporary materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1986-8677
pISSN - 1986-8669
DOI - 10.7251/comen1402172t
Subject(s) - renewable energy , solar energy , photovoltaics , architectural engineering , energy engineering , work (physics) , sustainable energy , energy (signal processing) , environmental economics , photovoltaic system , environmental science , process engineering , engineering , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , physics , economics , quantum mechanics
Renewable energy sources have an important role in global energy demand in the 21st century. New investigations in solar energy materials and solar energy systems offer new opportunities for a sustainable future, adapting local energy needs, environmental protection and aesthetics. Solar energy can be used almost everywhere, with visible materials and systems. In this paper, an overview of new solar energy materials and systems is presented, focused on the work that is performed in the Laboratories of the University of Patras and of the Technical Educational Institute. The research activities of these Laboratories are on nanotechnology, biotechnology, microalgae hydrogen production, photovoltaics, smart glazings and materials for solar energy systems. A brief description of the achieved improvements on these solar energy materials is included, where energy performance and system cost play an important role together with aesthetics, considering their wide application in the future.