“Double sided solar panels which collect light on both sides and move to follow the sun’s position produce over a third more energy than standard systems.”

The sun tracking part involves:

“…technology which uses global weather information from NASA to tilt the panels so they are in the best position to get the most sun throughout the day.”

I’m all for double-sided if it’s cost effective and worth the CO2 emissions required to cover the “bottom side” of the solar panels with more solar panels.

To give an idea, upward-pointing solar panels typically need 6 months to a couple of years to become “carbon positive”. That is, to output enough solar energy themselves to “cover” the (mostly non-renewable CO2-emitting) energy that was required to build them.

I’d imagine It’d take much longer for the underside of a solar panel to become carbon positive.

As for the moving to follow the sun’s position, you have to be careful, because moving parts break down, require maintenance, require skilled technicians.

I’m doubting it’s worth it in the end. Otherwise, you’d already see moving solar panels left, right and centre on the houses in your neighbourhood.

I haven’t. More details here.

For those who are really really really interested in solar panels, here’s the full scientific article talking about double-sided sun-tracking solar panels. I get the feeling it’s all a bit pie-in-the-sky at the moment.

Later later.

[Cover image from Pixabay]