L R AS Published on Sunday 14 November 2021 - n° 382 - Categories:panels, Africa
Microbes on panels in the tropics, but not only...
Solar panels in tropical areas harbour microbes that could be used for biotechnological applications. These micro-organisms
can be used in sunscreens, pigments for processed foods, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics...
The composition of the microbes was very similar to that found in similar experiments in Spain, the United States, and the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
The scientists detected the presence of microbes in the dust that accumulates on the panels. Their role in reducing the efficiency of the panels should be studied further. "As a survival strategy, some bacteria aggregate into biofilms that line the panels and reduce their ability to capture solar radiation."
PV Magazine of 10 November 2021
