Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
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Seven McMaster researchers received funding from NSERC to develop innovative technologies, including more efficient solar cells and infrared photodetection. The projects aim to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Researchers used low-frequency Raman spectroscopy to decipher stacking patterns in 2D materials, revealing unique effects of vibrations between layers. The study provides a platform for engineering materials with optical and electronic properties strongly dependent on stacking configurations.
Scientists at TUM have engineered ordered monolayers of molecular networks with photovoltaic responses, utilizing self-assembly on atomically flat, transparent substrates. The findings open up possibilities for the bottom-up fabrication of optoelectronic devices with molecular precision.
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.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to making solar cells, resulting in the thinnest and lightest complete solar cells ever made. The new process enables the creation of ultra-thin, flexible solar cells that can be integrated into various materials or surfaces, opening up new possibilities for portable electronic devices.
Researchers at TU Wien create a photo-electrochemical cell that can store the energy of ultraviolet light even at high temperatures. The new material combines photovoltaics with electrochemistry, paving the way for large-scale industrial storage.
Scientists use soda-lime glass to create resilient and high-performing graphene, improving technologies from solar cells to touch screens. The sodium in the glass enhances electron density in the graphene, overcoming challenges in achieving this balance.
Researchers at TU Darmstadt develop a new technique to fabricate microlens arrays with highly regular structures, reducing costs and time. The method uses cellular convection in a thick liquid layer to pattern a thin polymer film, ideal for photovoltaic systems.
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.
Scientists have developed a new guideline for synthesizing fullerene electron acceptors, revealing the importance of stereomeric effects on photovoltaic performance. The study investigates the impact of molecular packing and crystal structure on fullerene derivatives' efficiency.
A new study suggests that governments can easily make subsidies too low when ignoring consumer demand uncertainty, leading to slower adoption of clean technologies. Higher subsidy levels are needed to kick-start sales and meet uncertain demand.
Researchers from the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have published a study revealing the key market and system drivers for low-priced solar photovoltaic systems. The analysis finds that low-priced systems are more prevalent in local markets with fewer active installers, and are often customer-owned, lar...
Scientists create photo-bioelectrochemical cells that harness natural photosynthesis to generate electrical power from sunlight. The system uses glucose as a fuel and provides a new method for photonically driving biocatalytic fuel cells.
Scientists at NREL found that certain defects can improve carrier collection and surface passivation of silicon solar cells. The study's results run counter to conventional wisdom and have implications for the development of more efficient solar cells.
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 from Warsaw University of Technology develop a mechanochemical process to synthesize perovskites, which can be used in high-efficiency solar cells. The new method is environmentally friendly and produces higher-quality materials than traditional methods.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) researchers conduct the first atomic resolution study of organic-inorganic perovskites used in next generation solar cells. The study reveals positions and orientations of atoms and molecules, providing detailed information on structural defects.
Researchers added cesium to perovskite solar cells, increasing thermal and photostability while maintaining high efficiency. The modified cells showed a boost in efficiency when layered on top of silicon photovoltaics, potentially achieving over 25% efficiency.
Berkeley Lab researchers model hot carrier movement in real-time, distinguishing between plasmon and single particle excitation behaviors. The study shows that 90% of plasmon energy can be converted to single particle energy when excitations are in tune.
Researchers have successfully synthesized a two-dimensional sheet of boron, known as borophene, with metallic properties at the nanoscale. The material's unique atomic configuration and anisotropy result in a high tensile strength, making it a promising candidate for applications in electronics and photovoltaics.
Researchers developed a glass coating that boosts solar cell efficiency by up to 27.7% and repels dust and pollution, addressing the issue of fixed panel angles and self-cleaning capabilities.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a new material that is both highly transparent and electrically conductive, potentially replacing indium tin oxide in display technology. The new material, a correlated metal, has a structure that allows it to behave like a liquid, resulting in high optical transparency and conductivity.
A new research project proposes employing millions of existing distributed energy resources to balance the power grid, increase reliability and decrease carbon emissions. The approach uses incentive-based coordination and control to make the grid more efficient and resilient.
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 Stanford University have developed a novel way to make metal contacts on solar cells nearly invisible to incoming light. This breakthrough uses nanotechnology to create silicon nanopillars that redirect sunlight, increasing the cell's efficiency and reducing reflection loss.
A team of appraisers found that home buyers pay a premium for solar homes in six US states, with the average premium being $15,000. The study confirmed earlier research by Berkeley Lab and recommends considering individual market characteristics when valuing solar systems.
A recent study suggests that solar eclipses will have a minimal effect on Germany's photovoltaic systems and electrical supply. During the shadowing period, there may be temporary drops in power generation but the overall impact is expected to be limited.
Researchers observed entangled states in organic molecules, allowing for the control of singlet fission and potentially doubling electrical current in solar cells. The team developed a model showing that quantum dynamics play a crucial role in optimizing fission.
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.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new solvent-based method to manufacture ultrathin films used in organic bulk heterojunction solar cells. This method eliminates the need for thermal annealing, resulting in improved film morphology and increased photovoltaic performance.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin improved ultrathin CIGSe solar cells by integrating nanoparticles into the back contact, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced charge carrier loss. This innovative approach enables more efficient light trapping and absorption, paving the way for further design enhancements.
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 Binghamton University have developed a method to pattern electrically conductive features into individual graphene oxide sheets with unprecedented spatial control. This enables the potential integration of graphene oxide into future technologies such as flexible electronics, solar cells, and biomedical instruments.
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.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found a way to assemble photovoltaic polymers in water using a surfactant, enabling the creation of defect-free polymer assemblies for fast electric charge transport. This breakthrough creates molecular building blocks for designing optoelectronic and sensory materials.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new fabrication method to attain better than 15-percent energy conversion efficiency from perovskite solar cells larger than one square centimeter area. The process, which involves growing ultra-smooth films of perovskite crystals, reduces defects and increases efficiency.
Researchers at Umeå University and UC Berkeley have developed a method to synthesise novel molecular nanoribbons that resemble graphene but in molecular form. The nanoribbons exhibit ideal properties as electronic highways for organic solar cells, with dimensions smaller than 10-15 nanometres.
Researchers have developed a process to cover fragile perovskite layers with graphene, resulting in an ideal front contact. The graphene layer enhances transparency and reduces open-circuit voltage losses, increasing overall conversion efficiency.
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.
Harvard scientists have developed a rechargeable battery that can store electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power. The new technology uses non-toxic, abundant elements dissolved in water solution, making it safer and cheaper than traditional batteries.
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.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre has found that the uncertainty in solar photovoltaic power measurements can be reduced by more than half, allowing for tighter margins and increased accuracy. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper and faster calibration of secondary reference devices, benefiting both industry and research.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will analyze data from over 5 million solar panels worldwide to identify factors contributing to degradation. By applying an epidemiological approach, they aim to develop more reliable designs and extend the lifespan of solar panels.
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 Vermont have developed a new method to create an 'electron superhighway' in organic materials, allowing electrons to flow faster and farther. This breakthrough could lead to improved solar cells and flexible electronics with enhanced efficiency.
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 create a one-step process to make seamless carbon-based nanomaterials that possess superior thermal, electrical and mechanical properties in three dimensions. The material enables high efficiency batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells, and has potential for applications such as energy storage, sensors, and wearable ele...
Researchers found that ultrashort light pulses become trapped in small areas of rough ultrathin films, leading to efficient light absorption. This discovery can help develop highly efficient absorbers for thin-film solar cells and sensors.
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 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.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed the world's first aqueous solar flow battery, which achieves a 20% energy savings over traditional lithium-iodine batteries. The new design combines a solar cell and a battery into a single device using a water-based electrolyte and a solid sheet solar panel.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new technique to make solar energy cheaper and more efficient by mimicking the v-shaped posture of Cabbage White butterflies. The study shows that by replicating this 'wing-like' structure, power-to-weight ratio can be increased 17-fold.
The University of Delaware research team aims to improve solar cells and medical imaging by changing the color of low-energy light into higher-energy colors. Their novel approach could lead to a significant boost in solar energy harvesting, with predicted efficiencies of up to 30%.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to incorporate light-capturing nanomaterials into solar panels, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. This breakthrough could help meet the US goal of reducing solar electricity costs to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour.
A new study by Northwestern University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory found that perovskite solar modules have a significantly shorter energy payback time than existing options, with some models returning energy investment in just two to three months. The researchers also analyzed the environmental impa...