Spectral Filtering of Photovoltaic Cells using Novel Bio Filter: Silver Coated Hibiscus Extract using Butanol Solution

Abstract

The adaptability of the solar photovoltaic cell is huge but not without its peculiar challenges. It has been reported that the patronage of photovoltaic (PV) in Africa is drastically dropping due to the dismal performance of PV in the first year of purchase. In this research, the bio-filter was proffered as an external solution to improving the efficiency and longevity of PV module. It was observed that the bio-filter improved the efficiency of the polycrystalline panel by 60%. This means that a good percentage of the solar IR radiation can be reflected from this proposed bio-filter. This research further affirms the significance of plants as a veritable tool to protect the PV panel. Hence, this bio-filter is adjudged to be cost-effective (i.e. affordable), universal usability and eco-friendly in both the long and short term.