Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
A team of researchers from Kanazawa University has made a breakthrough in improving the efficiency of metal halide perovskite-type solar cells by layering different mineral forms of titanium oxide. The new approach, which combines anatase and brookite layers, enhances electron transport and reduces recombination, leading to increased s...
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method to grow nanowires in a highly controlled and reproducible manner. By altering the diameter-to-height ratio of the hole, they can perfectly control how the nanowires grow, enabling applications such as laser generation on silicon chips.
A team of engineers found that certain defects in lead-halide perovskite semiconductors can improve their performance, increasing efficiency and stability. The discoveries could pave the way for the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly solar cells and LEDs.
A novel concept proposes a lateral alternating multilayered junction for organic solar cells, enabling long-distance carrier transport and extraction. The structure shows promising results with high exciton-collection efficiency, paving the way to exceed conversion efficiency of 20%.
The researchers used electrostatic force microscopy with synchronized laser pulses to create a movie of recombination as it occurred, allowing them to spot speedy electrons and holes in motion. This new method may improve the efficiency of solar panels by reducing energy losses due to recombination.
A team of researchers from TUM used computational screening and data mining to analyze 64,000 organic compounds, identifying key structural frameworks and functional groups that facilitate favorable charge transport. The study reveals the importance of molecular design in creating efficient electronic components.
Researchers have discovered a 'sweet spot' where adding certain additives enhances perovskite solar cell performance, but beyond that point, further additions degrade it. The findings provide clues for improving the material's efficiency and longevity, which currently lags behind conventional silicon cells.
Researchers have developed graphene quantum dot sensitized C-ZnO nanotaper photoanodes, which demonstrate superior photoconversion efficiency and incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency. The resulting quantum dot sensitized solar cells exhibit improved photovoltaic performances compared to conventional ZnO-based photoanodes.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have developed a new perovskite solar cell design that improves stability and scalability, enabling the creation of low-cost, large-area solar modules. The devices achieved an efficiency of over 20% and demonstrated their viability for commercialization in the near future.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new synthesis process for S-PPVs, promising polymers for various applications. The process uses inexpensive base materials and can be scaled up for industrial quantities, making them suitable for commercial use.
Researchers developed new materials to adjust transport layer properties, suppressing recombination and enhancing charge extraction. The study showed that permittivity and doping density of transport layers significantly impact PSCs' performance.
Researchers develop a new way to measure solar panel degradation by using past meteorological data and machine learning algorithms. The method allows for real-time inspection and prediction of solar power output, enabling faster repairs and improved forecasting.
Researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences improve PSCs by removing van der Waals gaps in Ruddlesden-Popper phase 2D layered perovskites. The newly developed materials exhibit outstanding stability under harsh testing conditions.
A new tool, DeepSolar, scans high-resolution images of the US for solar panels, registering their locations and sizes. Researchers found 1.47 million individual installations nationwide, correlating them with factors like income, education, and incoming solar radiation.
The Stanford team's analysis found 1.47 million solar panel installations in the US, significantly higher than previous estimates, and identified factors leading to adoption, such as household income and geographic location. The machine learning program DeepSolar was able to correctly identify images with solar panels 93% of the time a...
Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) and Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) developed a novel approach to form selective contact layers in perovskite solar cells using self-assembling monolayers. This method achieves extremely low material consumption and high efficiency, outperforming traditional methods.
A study by ETH Zurich researchers found that clean air would increase solar radiation nationwide, allowing for a one-tenth increase in electricity production. This could lead to additional electricity generation of 85-158 terawatt hours per year, generating significant revenue for the Chinese electricity industry.
Researchers at ICFO have developed colloidal quantum dot (CQD) infrared emitting LEDs with unprecedented values in the infrared range, achieving external quantum efficiency of 7.9% and power conversion efficiency of 9.3%. The CQDs' unique properties allow for efficient charge funnelling and low electronic defect density, enabling signi...
Scientists at FAU have developed a new organic molecule that absorbs more light than fullerenes and is very durable. The hybrid printed photovoltaics achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 12.25%, setting a new record for solution-based organic single-junction solar cells.
A team at the University of Freiburg has successfully applied 2D-spectroscopy to isolated molecular systems, allowing for more precise study of atomic interactions. This breakthrough enables a better understanding of processes in photovoltaics and optoelectronics.
Researchers analyzed the cost drop of solar photovoltaic modules over four decades, attributing it to improved conversion efficiency and government policies. The study suggests that having multiple 'knobs' to turn can lead to steady cost declines in technology.
Scientists at BESSY II discovered that mixed iron complexes can convert sunlight into electricity by releasing charge carriers. The findings suggest a new direction for developing inexpensive transition-metal complexes suitable for use in solar cells.
Rice University engineers have developed flexible organic photovoltaics with improved mechanical properties, enabling them to withstand strains of up to 20%. The new material retains its efficiency and gains flexibility by incorporating a network of elastic additives.
Researchers have developed a new approach to improve the efficiency of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells by using textures and a polymer light management foil. This design achieved an efficiency of 25.5%, outperforming previous records, and has the potential to reach up to 32.5% with further improvements.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum developed a new fabrication process for transparent ultra-thin silver films, which may improve the efficiency of solar cells and light-emitting diodes. The process overcomes challenges associated with traditional chemical methods.
A recent UK-wide study found that solar panels experience a 25% power loss due to hot spots, which are more prevalent in Northern England. Hotspots were found to be caused by localized temperature increases and can lead to permanent damage.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg develop a method to produce stable perovskite layers, which could lead to high-performance solar cells. The approach uses an industry-wide process to control layer growth, resulting in homogenous and controlled crystals that can withstand elevated temperatures.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a device that can collect heat from the sun and coldness from outer space at the same time. The technology combines radiative cooling with solar absorption, allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling, which could improve solar cell efficiency.
Kanazawa University researchers create organic solar cells using wet processing method with molecule alignment, leading to improved light absorption and charge transport. The CuI layer introduction achieves a ten times higher substrate-facing orientation of active molecules.
The study introduces a fluorinated electron-acceptor unit that precisely controls the energy levels within an organic semiconductor, leading to improved hole and electron injection and transport. The resulting thin film solar cell exhibits high photovoltaic performance with a power conversion efficiency of up to 3.12%.
A study by Christine Horne and Emily Kennedy found bipartisan support for renewable energy, with conservatives viewing it as financially smart and a step towards self-sufficiency. Democrats strongly link renewable energy to environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions. The research highlights an area of common ground between ...
Researchers found a way to change the spatial arrangement of bipyridine molecules on surfaces using metals, which can improve dye-sensitized solar cells. The cis configuration is formed through the addition of iron atoms and increased temperature, altering the chemical conformation.
Researchers at HZB integrated a thin layer of singlet fission-capable tetracene crystals into a silicon solar cell, successfully generating two pairs of charge carriers simultaneously. This breakthrough increases the quantum efficiency to 200 percent and brings the theoretical efficiency limit closer to 40 percent.
Swansea University researchers have developed a perovskite solar module six times bigger than the previous largest, with efficiencies of up to 6.3% PCE and 11% PCE at low light levels. The technology uses simple and low-cost printing techniques, paving the way for industrial production.
Scientists at OIST have developed a method to fabricate low-cost high-efficiency perovskite solar cells, boasting an efficiency comparable to crystalline silicon cells. The technique uses a gas-solid reaction-based method to produce uniform panels with improved stability and production costs.
Researchers at Penn State discover unique properties of halide perovskites that enable efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity, guiding the development of next-generation solar cells. The study's findings provide insights into how to improve the performance and stability of these materials.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a revolutionary technology that uses solar cells as optical antennas to transmit and receive information wirelessly between devices. This innovation enables seamless integration of IoT devices into everyday objects and harnesses energy from the environment to avoid frequent recharging.
Scientists have developed a solar flow battery that can store sunlight as chemical energy for later use. The device can be used to provide electricity in remote regions, making it an attractive solution for off-grid electrification.
Researchers at RIKEN developed a self-powered heart monitor that can be taped to the skin, utilizing sunlight as a power source. The device achieves high photo-conversion efficiency and demonstrates accurate heartbeat detection in both rats and humans under various lighting conditions.
A new study found that coal-fired power plants require 13 times more land to be carbon neutral than solar panel manufacturing, making solar the more efficient option. To achieve carbon neutrality with coal, 89% of US land would need to be covered in forests or optimal crops.
Researchers created an algorithm using physics of panel degradation to analyze solar farm data, providing a portable EKG for solar farms. The approach can inform better panel designs, prolong lifespan, and cut electrical bills, ultimately transforming the industry's diagnosis and decision-making processes.
Researchers find way to reduce production costs of solar cells by more than 10 percent through nano-texturing silicon and atomic layer deposition. The cost per unit power drops, making solar energy comparable to conventional electricity.
Researchers at UCLA Samueli School of Engineering created a highly efficient thin-film solar cell that generates more energy from sunlight than typical solar panels. The device converts 22.4 percent of incoming energy, surpassing the previous record set in 2015.
A research team at UNIST introduced a novel method to solve issues associated with the thickness of photoactive layers in OSCs, achieving an efficiency of 12.01% using a non-fullerene acceptor.
Research reveals that air pollution can reduce solar panel output by up to 17% in some cities, leading to significant financial losses. The study found that urban areas like Delhi and Beijing could lose tens of millions of dollars annually due to haze-related reductions in solar power.
Scientists have identified key defects in perovskite solar cells that limit their efficiency. The most harmful defects are found at the interfaces between the perovskite layer and charge transport layers, leading to recombination of charge carriers and energy losses.
New solar energy research from Arizona State University demonstrates that silicon-based tandem photovoltaic modules can become increasingly attractive in the US market, with potential to reduce costs and increase efficiency. The study found that 32% efficient anticipated tandem modules can cost more than three times that of projected 2...
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a technique to fabricate ceramic ultra-thin films using solution process, achieving high power conversion efficiency. The technique eliminates the need for heating, drastically reducing production cost and environmental impact.
An international team of materials scientists developed a way to boost the efficiency of organic solar cells by incorporating fluorine atoms in polymers. This process increased cell efficiency from 3.7% to 10.2%, making polymer-based cells a promising technology for power generation.
Researchers at Linköping University have formulated design rules to minimize energy losses in organic solar cells, achieving low energy losses and high power conversion efficiencies. The new theory challenges previous beliefs and agrees with experimental results.
Researchers have achieved a direct solar water-splitting efficiency of 19.3%, surpassing the theoretical maximum of 23%. The innovation lies in a tandem cell made of III-V semiconductors and a crystalline titanium dioxide layer, which improves anti-reflection properties and enhances catalyst activity.
Researchers have created a window-compatible material that can generate electricity and insulate against heat, leading to potential savings of over 50% on household energy costs. The dual-function material could pave the way for new technologies such as self-powered greenhouses.
Researchers have developed copper nitride semiconductors that can replace toxic materials in photovoltaic cells, offering a brighter future for solar energy. The unique nitriding technique and fluorine doping enable efficient p-type and n-type conduction, promising scalable and low-cost manufacturing routes.
The University of Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute has created a new technique to reduce energy loss in perovskite solar cells, increasing voltage and efficiency. The Solution-Process Secondary growth (SSG) method achieved a PCE of 20.9%, the highest certified for inverted cells.
Researchers at FAU and ANSER Center investigate singlet fission mechanism, gaining insights into its potential for increasing solar cell efficiency. They find that SF efficiency correlates with the coupling of molecular sub-units, providing a promising approach to boost performance.
Researchers at Ural Federal University have discovered that controlling intrinsic defects in nanoparticles can enhance their energy conversion capabilities. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar cell efficiency by up to 50%.
A new scalable means of applying an electron transport layer in perovskite cells has been developed, resulting in a 30 percent efficiency gain. This breakthrough could make perovskite solar cells more commercially viable and pave the way for record-breaking p-i-n perovskite solar cells.
Researchers have discovered a new class of materials that can harness sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Cs2BiAgCl6 and Cs2BiAgBr6 are promising photocatalytic materials due to their ability to absorb visible light and generate sufficient energy to split water.
Scientists from FAU are investigating a novel approach to storing solar energy in a single molecule, enabling the creation of an 'energy-storing solar cell'. The research focuses on the use of norbornadiene-quadricyclane storage system and intramolecular reactions to store and release electrical energy efficiently.
Recent improvements in perovskite alternatives are moving tandem devices closer to market with efficiencies similar to commercial silicon modules. Researchers have achieved lab device efficiencies up to 26.4 percent by tinkering with material composition and encapsulating cells in protective coatings.