Honeycomb-Inspired Solar Panel Design Aims to Capture More Sunlight

Engineers have developed a new solar panel design modeled on the honeycomb structures found in beehives. The flat panels of conventional designs lose sunlight by reflecting it away at oblique angles. The three-dimensional layout redirects incoming light, which the researchers say can boost light capture by up to 142.3% compared with traditional panels. The design could also be adapted for uses beyond rooftops, including vehicles and aerospace equipment.