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\begin{document}

\title{Self-Sufficient Homes}



\author[1]{Lauren Nelson}%
\author[1]{Ernesto Llamas }%
\affil[1]{Journal of Sketching Science}%


\vspace{-1em}



  
  \date{May 26, 2024}


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\includegraphics[width=0.70\columnwidth]{figures/Self-home/Self-home}

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From the first energy saving light bulbs brought to the market in the
mid-1980's, to the smart home thermostats and fixtures of today, what is
the next step towards a self-sufficient, energy producing home?

~

The golden goal for all homeowners and renters alike, is to lower energy
bills without having to walk around our homes in10 layers of clothing
when it's -3\textsuperscript{o}C outside. We have double-glazed windows,
porches, energy saving LED light bulbs, wall and loft insulation amongst
other things in an attempt to save on our energy bills. Solar panels
have been around for years too, but it's estimated that only half a
million people in the UK alone actually have them installed for their
homes. There are two main~types of solar panel (or
cell):~\textbf{photovoltaic solar panels} (which convert the sun's
energy to electricity, powering household goods and lighting)
or~\textbf{thermal solar panels} (which use the sun's energy to heat
water, cutting down heating bills). What potential does solar power hold
for the future of self-sufficient homes, and what new research is there
for solar energy?

\par\null

Imagine windows which could generate electricity (\citet{futurity}).
Too good to be true? Possibly not in the near future. Research suggests
that transparent solar-film for windows could generate as much energy as
bulky solar panels installed on roofs. By combining both rooftop solar
panels and new solar-film, the electricity demand could be met for each
country (including the UK and US), dramatically reducing fossil fuel use
globally. But how do they work?~

\par\null

It is not glass itself which acts as a solar panel. Instead it is an
ultra-thin, transparent film which has been produced at Michigan State
University by Professor Richard Lunt and his research
team~\cite{lunt2017}. The film has been coined~\emph{`a solar
concentrator'}, and can be placed on windows, mobiles, buildings and
other flat, clear surfaces to utilise the sun's energy without
disrupting views. The film-like material is `tuned' to absorb specific
wavelengths of light (\emph{i.e.} ultraviolet to near-infrared) and
subsequently convert the light energy to electricity, just like a
regular solar panel. ~

\par\null

Solar panels convert particles of light (\emph{i.e.}\textbf{photons})
into electricity. They achieve this via the \textbf{\emph{photoelectric
effect}}: as photons come into contact with atoms in solar panels/film
etc., they knock electrons out of atoms in a solar panel, creating a
flow of electricity (\emph{i.e.} a current). Traditionally, solar panels
are made from lots of materials each required to generate a
current.~This forms an opaque object, yet solar-film is transparent and
still performs the same job. Solar-film technology can increase the
number of surfaces able to generate electricity all over the globe.

\par\null

Alongside this new research, Tesla has developed their own solar roofs.
Instead of installing bulky solar panels, Tesla has developed solar cell
roof tiles. This drastically increases the roof space which can be used
to generate solar energy (\citet{tesla}). The tiles are not only
able to generate solar energy for our homes, but are also a lot more
durable than traditional roof tiles, able to withstand much greater
forces (\emph{e.g.} hailstones, high winds and fire). Another benefit of
solar panels or solar roofs, is that they can earn you money. The amount
of energy generated by solar panels, tiles or film is much greater than
that which can be used in the home immediately. As a result, governments
pay people who own these power supplies a set amount per unit of excess
electricity generated and use it around the country. ~

\par\null

The sun's power is brilliant during daylight hours but at night where
should we get electricity from? Tesla have developed another ingenious
invention which can store some of the excess electricity generated
during the day:~the power wall (\citet{tesla}). The power wall is
essentially a very large battery which can store some of the excess
electricity, ideal for nighttime, natural disasters or blackouts. Once
the battery is full, any more electricity generated will go to national
use. It is an efficient way to use, store and share electricity.

\par\null

Currently, only 1.5\% of the global electricity demand is met through
the use of solar panels. If all windows in the US were covered in solar
film, 40\% of the electricity demand could be met. If all the roofs in
the US were covered in solar panels or with Tesla's solar roof, this
would equate to at least another 40\%, taking the total to
\textasciitilde{}80\% if both solar options were deployed. This is true
Worldwide. These strategies would reduce the use of fossil fuels
drastically and lower harmful carbon emissions tremendously. With stats
like this, wouldn't it be great to get behind solar energy and all do
our bit to better the future of the planet, creating self-sufficient
homes?

\par\null

\section*{Contributions}\label{contributions}

\par\null

\begin{itemize}
\tightlist
\item
  Lauren Nelson wrote the article.~Lauren is a Ph.D. student at
  Newcastle University (UK), researching computational drug design
  alongside the Northern Institute for Cancer Research. Lauren also
  writes a scientific blog aiming to stop science from seeming so
  boring.
  (Twitter~\href{http://twitter.com/ashortscientist}{@ashortscientist};
  Instagram~\href{http://www.instagram.com/ashortscientist}{@ashortscientist};
  Blog:~\href{http://ashortscientist.wordpress.com/}{ashortscientist.wordpress.com}).
\item
  Ernesto Llamas made the illustrations.~He obtained his Ph.D. in
  Biotechnology from Universitat de Barcelona doing his research at the
  Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics. Creator, editor and
  illustrator of Sketching Science.
  (Instagram~\href{https://www.instagram.com/eellamas/}{@eellamas}).
\end{itemize}

\par\null

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