Articles tagged with Solar Energy
A new study identifies key degradation mechanisms in perovskite solar cells, including phase segregation, copper corrosion, and edge patterns. Accelerated aging tests can accelerate these processes, but may not reflect real-world degradation.
Researchers at Kyushu University have created a solid-state material that converts visible light into ultraviolet (UV) light under ordinary outdoor sunlight, achieving a conversion efficiency of 1.9%. The material offers advantages for real-world use, including straightforward synthesis and low-cost starting materials.
Researchers developed a liquid material that charges like a battery, transforms like a living organism, and resets itself in open air. The material stores power for months and can be recharged, making it useful for adaptive clean renewable systems.
Researchers found that rewetted peatland solar parks in Northern Germany support threatened bird species and exhibit an unusual mix of species, providing a unique habitat for biodiversity. The study suggests that this novel land use can be a valuable tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring peatland ecosystems.
A new study by UTEP researchers found that photovoltaic panels in Alamogordo, New Mexico, lose only 2-3% of their power output to dust accumulation, significantly lower than comparable desert regions worldwide. This suggests that the region's wind patterns and responsiveness to rain make it an ideal location for solar energy facilities.
A new quantum chemistry method predicts the behavior of molecules under light with lower computational cost, enabling the study of larger systems and complex reaction pathways. This breakthrough advances the discovery of next-generation materials and deepens understanding of molecular behavior under light.
A new study suggests that expanding Norway's renewable energy could increase habitat loss by up to 28% by 2050. However, avoiding construction in species-rich habitats and using previously developed land can help curb those losses. Meanwhile, rooftop solar has a lower impact on biodiversity compared to ground-mounted solar plants.
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a solar-thermal desalination process that produces fresh water in an energy-efficient way, eliminating brine and requiring no chemical additives. The technology extracts nearly 100% of salts in solid form, producing table salt and precious minerals like lithium.
A new study led by UMass Amherst researchers found that large-scale solar energy projects in the US encounter relatively little public conflict. The study analyzed 686 projects and found that 56% fell into 'no' or 'low' conflict categories.
A study by National Taipei University of Technology found that offshore floating solar systems can generate up to 12% more electricity than traditional land-based systems. This increased energy output leads to greater carbon emission reductions due to the cooling effect of surrounding water, which absorbs heat and improves efficiency.
The study reveals that renewable energy sources like solar panels and electric vehicles can lower emissions and costs, but also cause voltage regulation challenges due to variable output. Community-scale battery energy storage systems are the most viable solution to mitigate these technical vulnerabilities, offering a 52% cost advantag...
Researchers develop solar-powered technology to convert plastic waste into valuable fuels, including hydrogen and syngas, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and addressing pollution challenges.
Researchers developed a method that improves perovskite solar cell performance by triggering molecular interactions at the interface between two films, resulting in more efficient and durable material. The technique achieved a power conversion efficiency of 25.61%, surpassing previous records.
Researchers at LMU Munich have overcome two major hurdles in working with perovskite quantum dots: stabilization in solution and precise control of their growth. By using Gemini ligands, they created stable quantum dots that can disperse in polar solvents and exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields.
A new technique uses a single image to forecast solar panel energy production and maximize output. The method estimates the amount of energy that will be produced based on the angle of the sun, shadows, reflections, and weather patterns, allowing for more accurate placement and optimization of solar panels in urban areas.
The report highlights rapid growth of solid-state implementation since SKKU's first successful realization in 2012, with China, US, and South Korea leading global research efforts. Sungkyunkwan University demonstrates world-class research competitiveness, ranking highly in key indicators.
Researchers have developed a fast prediction and suppression method for transient piston displacement overshoot in free piston Stirling generators. The new approach detects dangerous overshoot without relying on displacement sensors and suppresses the fault response early enough to maintain safe operation and continuous power delivery.
Researchers successfully captured singlet-fission-amplified excitons with a molybdenum-based emitter, achieving 130% quantum yield and pushing the limits of solar cell efficiency. The team used a metal complex called 'spin-flip' emitter to harvest multiplied energy from singlet fission.
The Island Scholarship programme aims to draw more talent to Orkney, supporting population retention and attraction on Scottish islands. Fifteen postgraduate students will have their fees paid in full for specialist MSc courses, with applications now open.
A team from the University of Córdoba developed an AI-based model that forecasts annual solar energy availability in Andalusia until 2100 using temperature data. The study found a significant positive trend in solar radiation and available energy, with peak hours increasing across all climate change scenarios.
A new optimization method for solar cells reduces voltage drops in transport layers, enabling efficient charge separation even with high extraction barriers. Researchers achieved a 24.6% efficiency by optimizing TL thickness and carrier mobility.
Researchers at University of Illinois have developed a new method using solar energy to power a key chemical reaction in the textile, plastic, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. This method can significantly reduce the industry's carbon footprint by eliminating harsh oxidizing byproducts and minimizing carbon emissions.
A new study by Illinois researchers found that agrivoltaics can increase or reduce yields and profits, depending on the crop and region. The study reveals 'win-win' opportunities for soybean farmers in semi-arid regions, but highlights limitations due to high installation costs.
A new strategy for improving inverted perovskite solar cells has been developed using a crystal-solvate pre-seeding method, enabling precise regulation of the bottom interface and paving the way for high-efficiency large-area photovoltaic modules.
A two-year study found that small household solar power systems have limited capacity, typically only 6 watts, which does not deliver meaningful energy services. Households with access to higher-capacity systems (50+ watts) reap the most direct benefits and are more likely to adopt additional solar components.
A new mechanism utilizing interfacial phase equilibrium regulates metal ion migration in CZTSSe photovoltaic cells, reducing deep-level defects and improving crystalline quality. The approach achieves a record-high open-circuit voltage of over 600 mV, overcoming long-standing energy losses.
A team of scientists and industry experts investigated the challenges of developing new solar cells, including copper indium gallium diselenide and perovskite. They recommend focusing on material resilience, stability, and sustainability to ensure long-term success.
Chinese scientists have developed a dual-side electrical refinement strategy for large-area TOPCon solar cells, achieving an open-circuit voltage of 744.6 mV and a fill factor of 85.57%. The breakthrough sets a new record for industrial-scale solar cells, narrowing the gap between mass-production efficiency and theoretical limit.
A team from the University of Seville has developed a hybrid device that captures energy from both the sun and rain, allowing for more efficient and durable photovoltaic cells. The device can generate up to 110 volts per impact from a single raindrop, powering small portable devices.
A new international study found that deploying next-generation solar panels at scale could reduce global carbon emissions by up to 8.2 billion tonnes by 2035. The technology, known as tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) photovoltaics, has lower environmental impacts in fifteen out of sixteen categories compared to the incumbent PE...
A new method has been developed to engineer thin two-dimensional perovskite phases at the buried interface of three-dimensional perovskite solar cells, boosting device performance and operational stability. This technique improves crystallization quality and reduces defect concentrations by over 90 percent.
A team of University of Toledo physicists predicts significant growth for cadmium telluride photovoltaics in the US, with a target manufacturing capacity of 100 gigawatts by 2030. The technology offers advantages over silicon photovoltaics, including improved performance in hot and humid climates, and supports national energy security.
Researchers discovered that gold nanospheres, named supraballs, can absorb nearly all wavelengths of sunlight, including near-infrared light. This technology, applied to a commercially available electricity converter, nearly doubled solar energy absorption compared to traditional materials.
Physicists at Trinity College Dublin propose a new means of capturing useful energy from light sources like sunlight, lamps, and LEDs. Theoretical analysis may lead to the development of optical devices that can channel light energy into a concentrated beam.
A novel osmium-based photocatalyst effectively captures long-wavelength visible light, improving solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency. The new material can harness a broader range of sunlight, generating more excited electrons to enhance hydrogen-evolution performance.
A new study introduces a semi-transparent, color-tunable solar cell designed for flexible surfaces and windows. The 3D-printed pillar structure allows for precise control over light transmission and appearance, enabling better integration of solar technology into building façades and curved surfaces.
A team of researchers at Chalmers University of Technology has developed a new way to produce hydrogen gas without the use of platinum, a scarce and expensive metal. The process uses sunlight and tiny particles of electrically conductive plastic to efficiently produce hydrogen.
Researchers develop copper-modified cobalt oxyhydroxide catalyst for clean glucose oxidation, achieving high formate yield and reducing energy input. The membrane-free system delivers over 500 μmol h⁻¹ cm⁻² of hydrogen, offering a scalable and economically competitive route to green hydrogen.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new interface engineering strategy for back-contact solar cells, which can improve efficiency and stability. The team created a bilayer tin oxide electron transport layer that enhances interfacial contact and reduces recombination losses.
Researchers at Chonnam National University have developed a new approach to thin-film solar cells using a nanometric germanium oxide layer, resulting in improved performance and device stability. The innovative design boosts power conversion efficiency by up to 4.81%.
Researchers at LMU developed a new approach to molecular design for perovskite-silicon tandem cells, achieving an efficiency of 31.4%. The breakthrough involves using brominated molecules to neutralize defects and improve charge transport on rough surfaces, leading to higher efficiencies and increased stability.
The study reports a novel strategy for highly efficient photocatalytic synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from neutral water. A Pd-CNO2 coordination structure is integrated into a keto-form anthraquinone-based covalent organic framework, developing a highly efficient single-atom catalyst.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new method to produce flexible perovskite solar cells using single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), achieving high power conversion efficiency and stability.
A modeling study reveals that increasing numbers of households with rooftop solar panels can lead to higher rates for those without their own solar system. As the cost of solar systems falls, more customers defect from the grid, leading to increased rates and a 'utility death spiral' that disproportionately affects low-income households.
Researchers at NUS developed a new heat-resistant material to strengthen the weakest link in perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells. The cross-linked molecular layer improved durability and efficiency over 1,200 hours of continuous operation.
A new study finds that floating solar panel systems can have varying effects on aquatic ecosystems depending on the reservoir's depth, circulation dynamics, and fish species. The cooling effect of the water can boost panel efficiency, but increased variability in habitat suitability for aquatic species is also observed.
A McGill University-led research team has demonstrated the feasibility of thermally driven reverse osmosis (TDRO) for desalinating seawater, utilizing low-grade heat from solar thermal and geothermal energy. The cost-effective technique could improve access to water and increase sustainability in infrastructure.
Researchers at UC Davis invent a Stirling engine that can harness the natural warmth of the ground and cold depths of space to generate mechanical power. The device has been shown to produce up to 400 milliwatts of power per square meter, with potential applications in ventilating greenhouses and residential buildings.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has achieved a breakthrough in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells, focusing on improving efficiency, stability and scalability. The team aims to raise the energy conversion efficiency from 34% to 40%, while promoting industry-academia-research collaboration.
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country have developed ultrablack copper cobaltate nanoneedles that can absorb up to 99.5% of light, surpassing existing carbon nanotubes which absorb around 99%. This breakthrough could significantly improve the efficiency and competitiveness of concentrated solar power plants.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered ultrafast quantum light in halide perovskites, which can be harnessed for future photonic technologies. The findings suggest a practical and affordable route to explore ultrafast quantum technology.
The study found that about 70% of Kansas counties have some form of regulations, with 40% having enabling regulations to accommodate wind development. Counties in western and southern parts of the state tend to have more restrictive regulations, while rural areas with agricultural economies are more likely to have enabling regulations.
Researchers at PolyU developed an innovative parameter to evaluate photoactive materials for ST-OPVs, advancing high-performance devices with low-cost production and environmental sustainability. Record light utilisation efficiency of 6.05% was achieved in semi-transparent solar cells.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a hybrid device that combines light-harvesting organic polymers with bacterial enzymes to convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into formate, a fuel that can drive further chemical transformations. The new 'semi-artificial leaf' mimics photosynthesis and avoids toxic semico...
Thick-film organic photovoltaics (OPVs) hold promise for high-efficiency, scalable, and cost-effective solar cells. The study establishes guidelines for designing high-performance OPVs by bridging the gap between laboratory achievements and industrial manufacturing.
Researchers have identified key barriers to safely extending the life of solar panels and decreasing waste. One major challenge is the low cost of new panels undercutting the resale market for used systems.
A new study suggests that well-managed solar farms with wildflower margins could double bumblebee numbers within themselves. However, their benefits are largely constrained to the local site and have a limited impact on wider landscapes.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology develop a passivation strategy to improve stability and efficiency of fully inorganic perovskite solar cells. The innovation enables the creation of stable 2D/3D heterostructures, achieving record-breaking efficiencies and long-term stability.
A University of Sydney-led team has created the largest and most efficient triple-junction perovskite-perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell reported, demonstrating high efficiency and durability. The 16 cm² cell achieved an independently certified steady-state power conversion efficiency of 23.3 percent.