Researchers at MIT have developed a new solar cell that combines two layers to harvest more of the sun's energy, reaching theoretical efficiencies above 40 percent. The device can be manufactured at a fraction of the cost due to a novel low-cost manufacturing process, making it ready for commercialization within the next year or two.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created high-performance, micro-scale solar cells that outshine comparable devices in key performance measures. The new, small cells capture current from charges moving side-to-side and generate significantly more energy than other sideways solar systems.
Researchers at OU are developing novel technologies for next-generation solar cells with potential to increase global energy capacity and reduce fossil fuel dependence. They aim to control thermal losses and harness more of the sun's energy using 'hot' carrier solar cells.
The project aims to further accelerate progress toward the SunShot goals through research and development of novel solar collectors using reflective surfaces to concentrate sunlight. Giant Leap Technologies will develop capillary optics to replace expensive mechanical sun trackers with low-cost digital-glass for solar thermal and photo...
A USGS study reveals that video surveillance is the most effective method for detecting animals flying around solar power towers. Most observations involve insects, with only a handful of birds and bats seen near the towers.
The researchers successfully created dye-sensitized solar cells with inkjet-printed photovoltaic dyes, achieving efficiency and durability comparable to traditional methods. The printed solar cells endured over 1,000 hours of continuous light and heat stress without degradation.
Researchers at Lund University have measured the flow of solar energy within and between different parts of a photosynthetic organism, revealing more efficient routes for transporting energy. This basic research could lead to the development of more efficient solar cell technologies.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have discovered a possible secret to dramatically boosting the efficiency of perovskite solar cells, potentially increasing conversion rates up to 31 percent. The discovery involves exploiting the unique properties of facets on individual grains in the crystalline material.
A new study suggests that coal workers' transferable skills, such as mechanical and electrical expertise, can be applied to the growing solar energy sector. The research estimates that the solar industry can absorb layoffs from the coal industry over the next 15 years.
Researchers at ICFO have developed a solution-processed, semi-transparent solar cell based on AgBiS2 nanocrystals, which are non-toxic and abundant. The cells achieved power conversion efficiencies of 6.3%, competing with current thin film technologies, and offer potential as a low-cost alternative to traditional solar cells.
EPFL researchers have achieved the highest performance ever measured for larger-size perovskite solar cells, reaching over 20% efficiency. This breakthrough could lead to increased efficiency in hybrid solar panels that combine perovskites with silicon, potentially exceeding 30% efficiency.
A MSU physicist developed a new model that predicts the speed of solar plasma during solar flares, likening it to the path traveled by a thrown baseball. The model has implications for understanding how solar flares evolve and providing better ways to predict them.
A new study from the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that solar power could deliver $400 billion in environmental and public health benefits by 2050. The study finds that a high-penetration solar scenario would result in significant greenhouse-gas emissions reductions, air-pollution health and ...
Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center have found that the slow solar wind originates from magnetic reconnection in the sun's hot atmosphere. The team used newly processed observations to determine the source of the slow wind, which is important for understanding space weather around Earth.
Researchers recommend increased subsidies and public funding to help Taiwanese solar producers develop advanced technology and compete globally. The study highlights the need for policymakers to encourage collaboration between academics and industry experts to drive innovation.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new method to convert one type of perovskite into another, improving thermal stability and light absorption. The technique uses gas-based methods to flip the chemical switch, preserving the microstructure and morphology of the material.
Scientists observed a current sheet during a December 2013 solar flare, confirming the role of magnetic reconnection in solar flares. The detailed measurements from three NASA missions provide unprecedented insight into the complex physics behind solar eruptions.
A team of chemists has developed a unique combination of PBDB-T and ITIC that converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 11%, surpassing most solar cells with fullerenes. The discovery paves the way for low-cost and reliable solar energy, with good thermal stability and potential for commercialization.
Scientists at NJIT's Big Bear Solar Observatory captured unprecedented images of a recent solar flare, including bright flare ribbons and coronal rain. These observations provide new insights into the complex dynamics of the Sun's atmosphere and the massive eruptions on its surface.
New Horizons provided three years of measurements of the solar wind, filling a crucial gap between what other missions see closer to the sun and what Voyager spacecraft see further out. The data helps round out our picture of the sun's influence on space, including the origins of radiation hazards for astronauts.
The Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument collected three years' worth of measurements before the July 15 Pluto flyby. Data showed that the solar wind's tumultuous flow becomes more uniform by the time it reaches Pluto's orbit.
Renowned researcher D. Yogi Goswami has been awarded the 2016 Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit for his significant pioneering contributions to solar energy. His work focuses on reducing costs and developing efficient, effective storage methods for solar energy.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an approach to optimizing neighborhood solar energy production, which can increase annual electricity output by 4.6% and reduce volatility in electrical output by 4.3%. The method allows homeowners to share expenses and benefits among cooperating neighbors.
Scientists have discovered that hybrid lead halide perovskites can recycle light, a finding that could lead to large gains in solar cell efficiency. This process creates a concentration effect inside the cell, enhancing energy efficiency and potentially reaching efficiencies well beyond current silicon-based cells.
NREL's projects focus on advancing transformational technologies for more efficient, renewable, and resilient energy systems. The lab is developing novel solar cell manufacturing processes and extreme-scale wind turbines to expand offshore wind energy access.
Researchers at NREL have improved the maximum voltage available from CdTe solar cells, breaking the 1V barrier and enabling more efficient electricity generation. The innovation could significantly reduce manufacturing costs and make solar energy more cost-competitive with traditional energy sources.
The research team improved cell voltage by shifting away from a standard processing step using cadmium chloride. This approach enabled the fabrication of CdTe solar cells with an open-circuit voltage breaking the 1-volt barrier for the first time.
The Southwest Research Institute\u2019s CuSP microsatellite will observe interplanetary magnetic fields and energetic particles in the solar wind. The mission aims to improve simulations of space weather, helping scientists understand its impact on power grids and space technology.
A new mix of materials eliminates doping, a complex process that degrades performance, to create highly efficient silicon solar cells. The new design enables the creation of high-efficiency solar cells in just seven steps.
EPFL scientists have engineered a molecularly engineered hole-transporting material for perovskite solar cells, achieving competitive power-conversion efficiency of 20.2%. The new material is significantly cheaper to synthesize and purify than existing alternatives.
Researchers have observed molecular processes in real-time using X-rays, gaining insights into the printing process. This understanding can help control the arrangement of materials, improving the efficiency of organic solar cells.
A fully renewable energy system is achievable and economically viable for Russia and Central Asia by 2030, with costs comparable to European nuclear technology or carbon capture and storage. The region can expect a 20% reduction in electricity costs through integrated energy sectors.
Researchers have discovered a stellar superflare on KIC9655129 with wave patterns similar to those observed in solar flares, suggesting the potential for the Sun to also produce a superflare. This could lead to catastrophic consequences, including power blackouts and disruptions to GPS and radio communication systems.
Researchers at RIKEN and Kyoto University have developed a new polymer that minimizes photon energy loss in solar cells, leading to higher efficiency and robust conversion of solar energy into electricity. The achievement marks a significant step towards commercializing cheaper and more efficient polymer-based solar cells.
Researchers at Florida State University have introduced a new strategy for generating more efficient solar cells, increasing maximum efficiency from 33% to over 45% through photon upconversion and self-assembly process.
Researchers at EMPA have developed tandem solar cells that convert a larger portion of light energy into electricity, using polycrystalline thin films and semi-transparent perovskite film. The new process enables large area low-cost processing and flexible plastic or metal foils as substrates.
Scientists at NREL have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by reducing energy lost to heat. By utilizing hot-carrier solar cells, the potential efficiency limit increases from 33% to 66%. Perovskites are a class of materials with various technological applications.
A new technique allows for faster monitoring of magnetic field changes before solar flares, providing advance warning of potentially devastating space storms. The method, developed by Queen's University Belfast, enables scientists to examine the precursors responsible for destructive space weather.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach for storing concentrated solar thermal energy, enabling more efficient and cost-effective use of this technology. The innovation uses thermochemical storage to hold heat, drive turbines, and reheat for continuous cycles.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that surface solar radiation in China has decreased due to higher air pollution and lower wind speeds. The research reveals that the solar dimming increased significantly during the day in polluted areas, with 20% of reduced solar radiation attributed to aerosols.
Michigan Technological University researchers have developed a method to increase the output of solar panels by 30 percent or more by using reflectors to bounce sunlight back onto panels. This innovation could lead to major retrofits for existing solar farms, making solar energy more efficient and cost-effective.
A new study led by UC Riverside researchers found that utility-scale solar energy development can drive land-use and land-cover change, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the need for optimized solar energy development to minimize environmental impacts.
A new study found that most utility-scale solar energy facilities in California are located in natural habitats, leading to environmental conflicts. The researchers identified areas for more sustainable siting, including built-up lands and those already affected by human activities.
Researchers have identified silver corrosion as a major issue in perovskite solar cells, which absorb light across almost all visible wavelengths and exceed 20% power conversion efficiency. A solution-based method using silver electrodes can reduce costs but may lead to short lifetimes.
Researchers at Lund University have successfully produced an iron-based dye that can convert light into electrons with nearly 100% efficiency, making it a promising alternative to rare metal-based dyes. The discovery could lead to the development of more efficient and affordable solar cells, as well as advancements in solar fuels.
A new study using NASA's Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) revealed that the solar wind's turbulence explains its hot temperatures and variable behavior. Scientists tracked hundreds of ionized gas clumps in Comet Encke's tail to reconstruct the solar wind's motion, catching an unprecedented look at turbulence.
A SwRI-led study found that a comet's tail can provide insights into the solar wind's variable nature and high temperatures. Turbulence in the solar wind was observed to drive high-temperatures, while mixing of turbulent motions explains variability.
Researchers at KIT have developed an invisibility cloak that guides sunlight around contact fingers on solar cells, reducing optical losses and increasing efficiency. By applying a special coating onto the solar cell, the cloaking effect can be achieved, potentially leading to up to 10% increase in efficiency.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology discovered that immersing a zinc-based buffer layer in ammonia water doubles the conversion efficiency of CIGS solar cells, improving their performance from 6.8% to 13.7%. The study reveals the importance of the buffer layer structure and composition for next-generation solar cells.
Researchers develop a technology that shunts away heat generated by solar cells, cooling them and improving efficiency. The transparent overlay allows sunlight to hit the cells while radiating heat into space.
Researchers aim to develop a non-destructive method to measure water content in solar PV cells using spectral imaging. The goal is to remove uncertainty on the modules' long-term reliability, crucial for making solar energy competitive with fossil fuels.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed solar cells that can track the sun using a kirigami-inspired design. The array of small solar cells tilts within a larger panel, keeping their surfaces more perpendicular to the sun's rays and raising the effective area soaking up sunlight.
Researchers at PolyU have created high-efficiency, low-cost semitransparent perovskite solar cells with graphene electrodes for BIPV applications. The PCEs reach up to 12% and show potential cost savings of over 50% compared to existing silicon-based solar panels.
Researchers have developed a system that captures energy from 'hot electrons' to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a promising means of harnessing renewable energy. The process uses light-activated gold nanoparticles and efficiently increases solar-to-electric power-conversion efficiencies.
The University of Rochester team aims to reduce the cost of electricity from solar power by replacing expensive panels with plastic solar concentrators. Their planar light guide using micro-optics can concentrate direct sunlight onto a single photovoltaic cell, reducing the need for expensive PV cells.
A team of scientists from Berkeley Lab and the University of Illinois created a solar cell that absorbs high-energy light at a 30-fold higher concentration than conventional cells. This breakthrough uses quantum dot light-emitters with spectrally matched photonic mirrors to efficiently utilize the high-energy part of the solar spectrum.
Penn State researchers are developing new, ultra-high efficiency photovoltaic cells using a novel tracking system to concentrate sunlight 400 times over. The goal is to create standard rooftop solar panels with competitive manufacturing costs and double the efficiency of existing solar panels in sunny regions.
Researchers have created a unique antenna that collects unused blue photons from sunlight, converting them into usable energy for silicon-based solar cells. This innovation has the potential to significantly increase solar cell efficiency, making them more affordable and environmentally sustainable.
A recent study at Purdue University contradicts a fundamental assumption about organic solar cells, pointing towards a potential path to create inexpensive solar technology that can compete with standard silicon cells. The findings suggest that a design change could improve charge separation and increase efficiency.
A Brown University-led team has received a $4 million grant to study perovskite solar cells, aiming to improve efficiency and scalability. The researchers will focus on understanding the basic science behind these solar cells, developing new technologies, and investigating lead-free compositions.