Japan has managed to store the Sun’s energy for 61 days in an important development in the use of solar power. Scientists have produced a stable chemical compound to store the energy.
The new compound takes the form of a yellow crystal. It changes its molecular structure when exposed to sunshine. When a small catalyst of silver was applied to it the substance reverted to its original molecular structure, generating heat at any required moment.
If produced in liquid form, the compound would retain the energy for 61 days without a boost of sunshine.
The temperature of the compound does not rise when solar energy is stored. The energy takes the form of molecular change at normal temperatures. In this way energy is not lost through the dissipation of heat.
Initial tests showed that 2.2 lb of the substance would conserve 92,000 calories. The research team said a solar heater with a surface of a square metre could store 85 million calories of energy a year. The compound could also be transported while it stored energy.
If the compound was produced in solid form, it could store energy for indefinite periods if the silver catalyst was not applied. However, it would have to be produced in a more impure liquid for practical use.
The new compound could be used to store energy for heating, cooling and eventually the generation of electrical power. There was little wastage and no pollution.