The team fabricated a tandem solar cell with a transparent conducting electrode, achieving high efficiency of greater than 17 percent and exceeding 20 percent when assembled. The study demonstrates antimony selenide's potential as a bottom cell material for tandem solar cells.
Researchers developed a poly ionic liquid called PSFSIPPyri to enhance perovskite solar cell performance. The addition improves stability, preventing halide ion migration and facilitating organic and halide ion fixation.
Researchers have developed a method to trap solar energy at temperatures over 1,000°C using synthetic quartz, demonstrating its potential for clean energy in carbon-intensive industries. The technology shows promise for industrial applications and could provide an economic viable alternative to fossil fuels.
A team of researchers characterized electron-hole separation in kesterite thin-film solar cells using scanning probe microscopy. They found that defects at the crystal interface cause electron-hole recombination losses, but suggested creating a light-absorbing layer with higher energy levels to improve efficiency.
The new method uses femtosecond lasers to form glass-to-glass welds, eliminating the need for plastic polymer sheets that hinder recycling. The recycled materials can be easily reused, extending the life of solar modules.
New study dates the Solar System's giant planet migration to between 60 and 100 million years after formation, based on analysis of chondrite meteorites. The findings may also shed light on the conditions that led to Earth's moon formation.
Researchers at ICFO have fabricated a new four-terminal tandem organic solar cell with a high power conversion efficiency of 16.94%, achieving a significant improvement over previous records for four-terminal tandem devices. The device features an ultrathin transparent silver electrode, enabling efficient light transmission and operation.
Researchers at DGIST developed a device that converts frictional force into electrical energy, removing surface contamination on solar cells. The technology enhances solar power generation efficiency by up to 90% and eliminates the need for manual cleaning.
A new study by Stanford researchers finds that factory and warehouse rooftops can host solar resources to fill the solar equity gap in disadvantaged communities. Non-residential rooftops generate 38% less electricity in poorer areas than wealthier ones, but have large unused capacity to produce solar power.
Researchers have discovered that high-latitude long-period oscillations play a crucial role in limiting the Sun's pole-to-equator differential rotation. The temperature difference between the poles and equator is found to be less than seven degrees, controlling the angular momentum balance in the Sun.
Researchers at Tsinghua University have developed a new fabrication method for flexible solar cells, increasing their power conversion efficiency by up to 25.09%. The new technique uses a chemical bath deposition method that is compatible with acid-sensitive substrates, addressing durability concerns and enabling scalable production.
Researchers have developed a new method to manufacture perovskite solar cells, which can convert electricity more efficiently than current silicon panels. The addition of dimethylammonium formate enables coating outside the small box, increasing efficiency and stability, with potential applications in electric vehicles and other devices.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge discovered that making solar cells super-efficient is harder than thought, but found alternative ways to improve energy capture. They proposed flexible, semi-transparent panels that can fold up and be integrated into various settings.
A team of UCF researchers has received a $1.5 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop a novel metallization process for solar cells. The goal is to increase efficiency and lower production costs, making solar energy more accessible.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) team engineered a new cyanate-integrated perovskite solar cell that achieves a certified world-record power conversion efficiency of 27.1%, surpassing other multi-junction solar cells. The triple-junction perovskite/Si tandem solar cell remains stable and efficient even after extended testing.
Researchers recommend strategies to improve perovskite solar cell efficiency, addressing defects and unsuitable band structures. Tandem solar cells and optimized fabrication methods also hold promise for further advancements.
A team led by Prof. Wolf Gero Schmidt used Hawk supercomputer to study how strategic impurities in solar cells can improve performance. They discovered that certain defects can improve exciton transfer, leading to more energy captured. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and climate-friendly energy production.
Researchers at Uppsala University and First Solar European Technology Center have achieved a world record of 23.64 per cent efficiency in CIGS solar cells, surpassing the previous record of 23.35 per cent. The study demonstrates that CIGS thin-film technology is a competitive alternative as a stand-alone solar cell.
A team at TU Graz has developed a parabolic trough collector with cost-effective photovoltaic cells that generate both solar power and thermal energy. The innovation uses industrial production methods and optimises cooling to increase usability of waste heat.
A new study shows that UK solar parks, if managed correctly, can support insect pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The availability of a diverse range of flowering plant species within the solar farms is crucial for increased pollinator abundance and biodiversity.
A groundbreaking research breakthrough has led to the development of the world's most efficient quantum dot (QD) solar cell, retaining its efficiency even after long-term storage. The newly-developed organic PQD solar cells exhibit both high efficiency and stability simultaneously.
Researchers tackled metal oxide layer degradation in semi-transparent perovskite solar cells, discovering lithium ions diffuse into the buffer layer, degrading its characteristics. Optimizing oxidation time led to a stable device with impressive efficiency and retention of over 99% initial efficiency.
The rapid transition to solar-powered groundwater irrigation in low-and-middle-income countries has led to over 500,000 solar pumps installed in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the benefits of this transition are complex and may come with risks, including increased groundwater extraction and potential depletion of aquifers.
A recent study reveals that solar energy facilities planted with native grasses and wildflowers can rapidly support thriving insect populations. Total insect abundance tripled at the studied sites, providing additional pollination services to adjacent agricultural fields.
Researchers at KAUST Solar Center have developed a roadmap for commercializing perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, which combine efficient light absorption and long-term stability. The technology has the potential to meet Saudi Arabia's solar targets and exceed $10 billion in market value within a decade.
Engineers have discovered a method to increase the stability of perovskite solar cells using bulky additives, which could enable the production of cheaper solar panels. The study suggests that larger molecules with specific configurations are most effective at preventing defects in the cells.
A KAIST research team developed a new conductive polymer material that achieved both high electrical performance and elasticity, introducing the world’s highest-performing stretchable organic solar cell. The team built a device that can be stretched up to 40% during operation, demonstrating its applicability for wearable devices.
Christoph Keller, a world-recognized astronomer, has been appointed as the next Director of the National Solar Observatory (NSO) succeeding Dr. Valentin Pillet. Keller brings extensive experience and expertise in solar physics to lead NSO into its exciting future.
EtaVolt's innovative technology rejuvenates old solar cells with intense sunlight, restoring performance and protecting against light and heat damage. This game-changing solution extends the operational lifespan of solar panels, reducing energy loss and e-waste.
Scientists at Linköping University have created stable and environmentally friendly organic solar cells by incorporating untreated kraft lignin into the electron transport layer. This innovation improves the overall efficiency and reliability of organic solar cells, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
LMU researchers create a two-dimensional supercrystal that generates hydrogen from formic acid using sunlight, holding the world record for green hydrogen production. The material uses plasmonic nanostructures to concentrate solar energy and convert it into high-energy electrons.
A new database containing thousands of solar mirror samples offers valuable insights into degradation trends over decades. The Solar Mirror Materials Database (SMMD) provides natural and accelerated exposure data for accelerating test development, design optimization, and manufacturing guidance.
A six-year study of a satellite found that low-cost solar panels can withstand harsh space conditions and generate power, opening the door to large-scale solar farms in orbit. The technology has been developed by researchers at the Universities of Surrey and Swansea.
A new strategy optimizes optical and electrical characteristics of thin c-Si solar cells, improving conversion efficiency by 28% compared to industrial thick counterparts. The proposed design uses a layer transfer method and metal nanofilms for enhanced light absorption and surface passivation.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich have developed a new class of organic dyes that can facilitate faster transport of solar energy within materials. These 'turbocharger' dyes show great promise for improving the efficiency of organic solar cells and other innovative energy applications.
Researchers at University of Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute have made a breakthrough in creating more efficient and stable perovskite solar cells by coating metal halide perovskite with aluminium oxide. This development could help countries reach their net zero targets faster and make renewable energy cheaper.
Tandem solar cells combining silicon and perovskite technologies achieve higher efficiencies while strengthening stability. The connection protects the frail perovskite solar cell from voltage-induced breakdown.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters have developed flexible solar cells with efficiencies comparable to conventional solar cells. They achieved significant power conversion efficiency gains by optimizing the material composition and guest component location in ternary organic solar cells.
A team of researchers has discovered a particularly efficient molecular structure for solar energy storage materials, which could lead to more efficient solar energy harvesting. The new molecules were identified by screening over 400,000 molecules with the help of machine learning and quantum computing.
Researchers have discovered numerous small-scale 'picoflare' jets within a coronal hole, which could supply energy and plasma to the solar wind. These widespread yet faint jets are powered by magnetic reconnection and appear to be a key component of space weather within the heliosphere.
A recent publication in Science reports on improvements in silicon-perovskite tandem cells, achieving a record-breaking 32.5% efficiency. The development of these high-efficiency solar cells was led by Lithuanian researchers from Kaunas University of Technology.
A new MIT study reveals that soft technology features, such as permitting practices and supply chain management, contribute less than 15% to total cost declines in solar energy systems. Improving these processes could accelerate cost savings in the clean energy transition.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have designed a solar battery that can absorb light and store energy using a new material composed of 2D carbon nitride. This device combines optical simulations and photoelectrochemical experiments to achieve high performance, with potential applications in various fields.
The Fengyun-4A satellite in collaboration with a machine learning model generated a detailed PV resource map for China, providing new insights into the country's solar energy potential. This advancement sets a new standard for solar resource mapping, empowering decision-makers to make informed choices for a sustainable future.
Researchers at NUS have created a new type of solar cell with improved stability and efficiency, paving the way for cheaper and more durable energy solutions. The cells achieve a world record efficiency of 24.35%, making them suitable for large-scale commercialization.
A new calculation shows that a molecular gas filament protected the young Solar System from a nearby supernova explosion, allowing it to capture radioactive isotopes found in meteorites. The filament acted as a buffer, protecting the nascent Sun and helping to channel the isotopes into the forming Solar System.
Researchers used data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe to explain how the solar wind surpasses speeds of 1 million miles per hour. The energy released from the magnetic field near the sun's surface drives the fast solar wind, comprising ionized particles flowing outward from the sun.
The Parker Solar Probe has detected streams of high-energy particles that match supergranulation flows within coronal holes, suggesting these are the origins of the fast solar wind. The solar wind's charged particles were accelerated by magnetic reconnection within funnel structures on the sun's surface.
Researchers propose a device design that can take the efficiencies of 2D TMDC devices from 5% to 12%, doubling the weight-saving potential. This breakthrough could address the energy supply challenges in space exploration and settlements, where traditional solar cells are too heavy to be transported by rocket.
Researchers developed smart windows that dynamically regulate solar radiation, providing effective heat management and energy savings. The windows selectively block solar radiation and adjust room temperatures according to applied voltage or ambient temperature.
Researchers at Indian Institute of Science developed a novel thermal desalination system that uses solar energy to produce freshwater. The system is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than traditional methods, and can be adjusted to align with the sun's position during the day.
A New Jersey Institute of Technology research team has been awarded a $4.64 million grant to continue studying the Sun's explosive activity at Big Bear Solar Observatory. The team will use the observatory's unique imaging capabilities and stable seeing conditions to investigate solar phenomenon as activity on the Sun ramps up.
Researchers introduced a conductive fullerene-derivative interlayer to enhance electron transport and increase PCE in all-inorganic perovskite solar cells, improving thermal stability. The interlayer remedies morphology issues, energy level mismatches, and electron traps, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced defects.
A new study reveals that rooftop solar arrays can meet the entire electricity demand of up to 35% of US manufacturers, currently accounting for only 2.2% of the grid mix. The research investigates the feasibility of on-site solar panel installations across different regions and manufacturing sectors in the US.
A study found that defects with deep energy levels deteriorate kesterite thin-film solar cell properties. The research team identified specific types of defects and proposed a method for preventing their formation. This could lead to improved efficiency for these cells.
New research suggests that households could break even on their solar panel investments by 2027, thanks to a steady decline in cost outlay and return on investment. The study also predicts that solar electricity will become a more competitive energy source, making it 40-50% cheaper by 2035.
Perovskite solar cells face stability issues that hinder their widespread adoption. Researchers from Surrey University aim to improve the design of these cells by stabilizing photoactive phases.
Researchers have identified optimal flight routes for solar-powered airships, which can significantly reduce both transport costs and CO2 emissions of air travel. With a maximum of five percent of carbon dioxide generated compared to conventional air transport, solar airships offer a promising alternative.
Researchers at Colorado State University propose using ultrathin films of molybdenum disulfide to improve solar cell efficiency. The material displays unprecedented charge carrier properties that could lead to drastic improvements in solar technologies.
Domestic solar panel manufacturing in the US can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% and energy consumption by 13% compared to international trading partners. By 2050, US-made solar panels will be more efficient, reducing carbon footprint by 33% and using 17% less energy.