Renkube Glass Design Boosts Solar Panel Output
Renkube, a forward-thinking startup, has developed an AI-powered software to enhance solar panel efficiency. Their innovative approach involves creating geometric patterns on the glass of solar panels, increasing energy production by 20 to 40%. This breakthrough is particularly impactful against the backdrop of Spain’s renewable energy achievements in 2023, where solar energy climbed to 14% of the national energy mix, surpassing 37,000 GWh—an increase of nearly 34% from the previous year.
Tackling the challenge of efficiency loss in solar panels due to the sun’s daily movement, Renkube’s solution is especially vital for residential and commercial solar installations. Unlike large solar farms that use mechanical solar trackers, Renkube’s technology offers an efficient alternative for smaller setups. The company, founded in 2017 by Indian engineers Balaji Lakshmikanth Bangolae, Lakshmi Santhanam, and Deepika Gopal, formerly of Cisco, employs a movement-free optical tracking system (MFOT) to maximize light absorption.
Renkube’s key innovation is a patented prismatic glass with distinct geometric patterns, increasing panel efficiency without the need for mechanical adjustments. This technology not only surpasses the benefits of traditional trackers but also eliminates the extra costs and maintenance requirements.
The panels developed by Renkube, which improve energy efficiency more effectively than mechanical trackers, are maintenance-free except for regular cleaning. Adapted to specific environmental conditions using their AI software, these panels ensure the optimal design of the glass while preventing damage to the solar cells.
Renkube is currently collaborating with solar panel manufacturers to commercialize their high-efficiency panels. Although priced slightly higher than conventional panels, the quick return on investment due to enhanced energy output makes them a viable option. Furthermore, Renkube is applying its technology in agrovoltaic projects in partnership with PJTSAU and AgHub Foundation, demonstrating how their panels minimally impact crop shading and potentially improve agricultural yields alongside energy generation.
Renkube’s advancements in solar panel technology are not only elevating renewable energy output but also paving the way for integrating technology with nature, contributing significantly to sustainable development goals.
