1. Self-Dusting Solar Panels
Solar technology must increase by 20% each year until 2030 to meet net-zero targets. So, what's its newest advancement? Self-dusting panels.
Conventional solar panels lose nearly 22% of their energy output to dust — a problem difficult to combat with human labor. Luckily, self-dusting solar panels have emerged from companies like Dustoss, using wind power to eliminate dust particles. The system uses aerodynamic strips that move in the wind, efficiently removing accumulated materials.
Dustoss's panels are compatible with any solar installation and provide a more cost-effective cleaning method. They don't rely on electricity, water or electricity, aiding sustainability efforts. Thanks to a monitoring and control app that provides updates and maintenance alerts, you can even track your self-dusting panels.
2. Biodiversity-Focused Solar Panels
Along with self-dusting panels, innovators have also been figuring out ways to utilize solar power for biodiversity. For starters, solar farm operators can sow native flowers and grasses between their panels, which increases pollination levels. This simple tactic helps bees and other natural pollinators spread various forms of native wildlife, boosting biodiversity.
To take this process to the next level, solar farms can implement advanced technology to aid and monitor pollination. Artificial intelligence enables users to collect real time data from acoustic monitoring devices that measure insect activity. These technologies work together to deliver automatic updates and insights to operators, leading to faster solutions and methods for improving biodiversity through pollination.
3. Recycled Insulation
Due to society's much-needed sustainability shift, more everyday products are being exposed for harmful chemical usage that can cause side effects. Spray polyurethane foam — a common insulation material — is one of these products. When you use the spray foam, blowing agents like hydrofluorocarbons are released, contributing to high greenhouse gas emissions.
To avoid this problem, you can use recycled insulation in your building or property envelopes. Areas such as roofs, ceilings, and floors in buildings benefit most from insulation, whereas crawlspaces, basements, roofs, attics and overhead doors in residential properties get the most benefit from insulation. The proper materials can deliver increased comfort levels while improving energy efficiency and without compromising the environment. To enhance your insulation, consider these recycled materials:
4. Cool Roofs
Cool roof designers use highly reflective components to create specialized paints, sheet coverings, tiles and shingles to absorb less heat than standard roofs. These can lower temperatures, reducing heat transferred into your home or commercial building. Comfort and efficiency are not the only areas the roofs benefit — they also help the environment.
Cool roofs can reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the power necessary to cool a building, contributing to sustainable electricity use and improved air quality. They’re high-tech and cost-effective, making them a perfect solution for commercial and residential buildings looking to go green.
5. Electric Buses
Making transportation systems more efficient and environmentally friendly has long been at the top of innovators' lists. Electric cars have started the push, with public transportation as the next focus. Most buses are powered by traditional fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel, which negatively impact the environment.
Fossil fuel burning accounts for about 92% of U.S. CO2 emissions — a number cities and municipalities can decrease by switching to models that use motors and batteries. This transition produces zero tailpipe emissions, protecting the environment from ozone-depleting substances and reducing air pollution.
The newest electric bus innovation — hydrogen fuel cell buses — combines an electric powertrain with fuel cell systems, batteries and technology. Hydrogen buses have the same environmental benefits as regular e-buses but last longer, saving money and efficiency. Their purchase rates are rising, with approximately 1,000 set to be introduced to Europe in the next few years.
6. Green Building Materials
Over the past few years, the construction and building sector has made a drastic transition toward sustainable practices, starting with green building materials. Green materials have a low environmental impact, contributing to many ecological benefits. Whether commercial or residential, projects can benefit from using the following:
7. Carbon-Oxygen Batteries
People's everyday batteries contain metals like lithium, cobalt, lead and mercury that are harmful to the environment. When they discard them, these toxic materials go to landfills, where they can leak into soil and water, contaminating ecosystems. To solve this problem, groups like Noon Energy are developing batteries that store energy in carbon and oxygen instead of metals.
To create these new batteries, scientists split CO2 into solid carbon and oxygen, similar to photosynthesis. The resulting batteries are three times smaller than existing models, provide over 100 hours of energy and can be produced at one-tenth of the cost. By running your everyday appliances with carbon-oxygen batteries, you can keep harmful toxins out of landfills and contribute to sustainable power storage.
8. Electric Construction Equipment
Fossil-fuel-powered construction equipment contributes to the industry's high greenhouse gas emissions and energy inefficiency rate. Although hand-held tools have been around for some time, large equipment is just beginning to transition to rely on electricity.
By using electric equipment, you can eliminate the release of hazardous gas fumes produced by traditional power methods, improving air quality and reducing pollution. Large, electric-powered machines produce net-zero carbon emissions and accomplish everything fuel-powered equipment can — without harming the environment.
9. Solar Powered Smartphones
Solar-powered smartphones provide insight into a sustainable future, where more devices are becoming efficient and powered by clean energy.
At the core of solar-powered tech is the photovoltaic (PV) cell, which transforms sunlight into energy. Although PV cells are more commonly seen in solar panels on rooftops, they have become more dynamic, compact, and efficient. The latest smartphone tech is experimenting with these cells, inserting them to fit below the screen. The screen then captures solar energy while not impacting the device's visibility or use.
New Technologies Drive the Future of Sustainability
New technologies emerge at a remarkable pace, giving people and companies worldwide opportunities to go green. As sustainable innovations transform industry practices, the environment's future becomes brighter. Stay up to date on the newest discoveries and breakthroughs to learn how to implement sustainable practices into your daily life.
