Researchers developed a new method for doping silver in solar cells to suppress defects and promote crystal growth, increasing efficiency. Ag doping inhibits Sn loss and improves cell performance by preventing defect formation and maximizing the suppression effect.
ICFO researchers have reported on a post-deposition in situ passivation strategy that improves surface passivation, yielding nanocrystal ink films with enhanced optoelectronic properties. This approach has led to the development of ultrathin solar cells with higher power conversion efficiency than their multi-step deposition counterparts.
Researchers observe tiny, brilliant features in the sun's atmosphere moving at unprecedented speeds to understand solar flare creation. The study confirms a 19-year-old theory and opens doors to a deeper understanding of space weather.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a new fabrication technique for perovskite solar cells, achieving power conversion efficiencies over 25% and 95% efficiency after 2,000 hours. This simplification makes industrial production more cost-effective and paves the way for more reliable and efficient solar cells.
The system removes salt from water at a pace that closely follows changes in solar energy, maximizing the utility of solar power. It produces large quantities of clean water despite variations in sunlight throughout the day, making it an attractive solution for communities with limited access to seawater and grid power.
Researchers developed a new method to improve the performance and stability of solar cells using perovskite quantum dots. The
Researchers develop a new method combining machine learning, mode decomposition, and harmonic reconstruction to predict solar activity levels. The study reveals complex short-period disturbances in the photospheric magnetic field around the solar maximum and predicts sunspot numbers for Solar Cycle 25.
Researchers at NJIT's Institute for Space Weather Sciences and Ying Wu College of Computing are developing an AI-powered space weather forecasting system called SolarDM. The system uses synthetic vector magnetograms to provide critical data for predicting solar eruptions, which could offer a three-day forecast horizon.
This study reveals how Mars' induced magnetosphere responds to solar wind conditions, including IMF strength, dynamic pressure, and EUV flux. The research finds significant positive correlations between magnetic field residuals and IMF intensity and solar wind dynamic pressure.
The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope successfully produced its first detailed maps of the Sun's coronal magnetic fields, a breakthrough in solar physics. This achievement enhances our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth's technology-dependent society, which is crucial for safeguarding infrastructure.
The Subaru Telescope has discovered new bodies beyond the Kuiper Belt edge, likely part of a larger population waiting to be found. This discovery challenges our understanding of the Solar System's structure and history, and may increase the chances of finding alien life.
Scientists have discovered how the Sun's supersonic solar wind receives energy, thanks to a lucky alignment of NASA and ESA spacecraft. The fastest solar winds are powered by magnetic switchbacks, which deposit enough energy to account for heating and acceleration in the solar wind.
Researchers analyzed satellite data to understand solar irradiance variability in the Asia Pacific region, revealing optimal locations for solar power plants and distribution strategies to minimize fluctuations. The study's findings will help plan for sustainable energy technologies and combat climate change.
A research team at City University of Hong Kong has developed next-generation printable perovskite solar cells with higher efficiency, stability, and lower production costs. These cells can be manufactured using a 'printing' process, reducing energy consumption and processing steps compared to traditional silicon-based solar cells.
Scientists argue that solar farms in the UK have great potential to restore degraded habitats and meet the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. However, unless policies change, potential biodiversity benefits could be squandered.
Researchers found that well-draining soils and vegetation can manage runoff on solar farms, while engineered stormwater controls can mitigate unmitigated runoff. The study provides new insights into hydrological phenomena on solar farms, particularly on steep and complex landscapes.
Researchers have spotted the first signs of the Sun's next 11-year solar cycle, which is expected to start in about six years. The detection was made using sound waves inside the Sun and shows a faint indication of Cycle 26, similar to what happened during the previous cycles.
A team of researchers from the University of Kansas has discovered a microscopic mechanism that explains why a new class of organic semiconductors outperforms others. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient solar cells and photocatalysts for producing solar fuels, revolutionizing the clean energy sector.
Researchers at WVU are exploring the potential of solar panels to generate energy on grazing lands, diversifying farmers' income streams and promoting more sustainable practices. The study aims to understand how dual-use solar systems impact soil health and animal performance.
Scientists have identified the mysterious origins of the 'slow' solar wind using data from Solar Orbiter's first close journey to the Sun. The slow wind is thought to originate from areas where open and closed magnetic field lines meet, allowing it to escape into space through a process of breaking and reconnection.
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.
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.
A new study led by the University of Michigan predicts that climate change will increase the financial benefits of residential rooftop solar panels in the US, with households potentially saving hundreds of dollars annually. The study found that increased cooling demand due to warmer temperatures and rising air conditioning needs will d...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found that iron meteorites from the inner and outer solar systems had similar amounts of missing iron metal, suggesting that water was present in planetesimals right from the start. This challenges current models, which predict cooler temperatures for the inner solar system or formation further out.
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.
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.
Researchers at Osaka University use a robotic system to automate key experimental processes, accelerating the search for new materials. They evaluate 576 thin-film semiconductor samples using photoabsorption spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and time-resolved microwave conductivity analyses.
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.
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.