A new photovoltaic leaf concept produces electricity, thermal energy, and water. It’s a hybrid multi-generation PV-leaf based on a biomimetic transpiration structure made of bamboo fibers and stacked hydrogel cells. The 1 mm thick biomimetic transpiration (BT) layer moves water passively from a separate water tank onto a 10 cm × 10 cm solar cell placed on top of the structure. Water flowing onto the cell reduces its operating temperature, thus increasing its efficiency, and excess heat is used to produce water and thermal energy. The PV leaf is protected by a 0.7-mm thick high-transmittance glass layer. The capital cost of the additional components is approximately 1.1 $/m2, representing about 2% of conventional solar panels cost. Payback time of these components is estimated at less than half a year.
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