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Cearense creates unprecedented solar panels using cashew nut waste

Written by Valdemar Medeiros
Published 18/12/2023 às 12:07
Cearense creates unprecedented solar panels using cashew nut waste
Photo: UFC/CANVA

A student from Ceará creates an innovative solar panel from cashew nut waste, promising to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Solar energy, despite its growing competitiveness, still faces the challenge of the high cost of solar panels and related equipment, which makes them unaffordable for many. However, a significant breakthrough may be on the way: a student from Ceará developed an innovative solar panel made from cashew nut waste. This discovery has the potential to transform the photovoltaic market, making solar energy more affordable and efficient.

Understand how cashew nut waste solar panels work

Diego Pinho, postgraduate student at federal University of Ceara, is determined to change this reality. Since 2007, he has been dedicated to finding ways to reduce the prices of solar panels, making them more accessible to the population.

The solution for its sustainable initiative came from one of the most popular fruits in the Northeast: cashew nuts. Pinho's studies indicate that the processing of cashew nut shells generates a residue called LCC, an oil that is highly efficient in capturing solar radiation. This oil can be used to generate thermal photovoltaic energy.

Although tests are still ongoing, Diego states that solar panels made from cashew nut waste are potentially more efficient than conventional photovoltaic panels available on the market, which are often made with toxic metals.

A innovation It is so promising that six other researchers from the Federal University of Ceará joined the student to intensify research and improve the cashew nut solar panel.

Researchers plan to register a patent for a cashew nut solar panel

According to Nivaldo Aguiar, professor at Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering, the rest of the cashew nut processing generates damage to the environment, as it leaves the soil sterile, making agriculture difficult.

Industries, without having any means or anything to do with cashew nut residues, generally store them in large reservoirs. In addition to giving a destination "cleaner", the researcher from the Federal University of Ceará states that the application of waste in the generation of solar energy still has the capacity to reduce the manufacturing cost of solar panels. The researchers have been working on using cashew nut waste for around 5 years.

During the next stage of research, scientists plan to register a patent for the system and also carry out cost tests on these cashew nut waste solar panels. It is important to highlight that solar energy is gradually growing throughout Brazil and has great development potential in Ceará, as the state has one of the highest irradiation rates in Brazil. In this way, both Ceará as a whole and its capital, Fortaleza, are considered the main generators of solar energy in the Northeast region.

Other innovations from Ceará for the photovoltaic sector

In addition to the cashew nut solar panel, students from Ceará developed an energy technology based on plates that follow the movement of the Earthl, without the use of sensors. In addition to generating around 30% more energy, the solution can make domestic use costs cheaper. The initiative was selected to participate in the 5th SESI Robotics Festival, in Brasília, which took place from March 15th to 18th this year.

The equipment works based on an algorithm that maps the movement of the Sun. This way, energy is generated for longer.

The class is made up of 10 high school students, integrated into technical courses in electrical engineering and renewable energy. Two technicians, who are teachers, from Escola Sesi/Senai Barra do Ceará also participate.

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Valdemar Medeiros

Journalist in training, specialist in creating content with a focus on SEO actions. Writes about the Automotive Industry, Renewable Energy and Science and Technology

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