Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Researchers at UNSW have developed a new solar cell configuration that delivers a world-record 34.5% efficiency in sunlight-to-electricity conversion, nudging closer to the theoretical limits of such devices. The device uses a four-junction mini-module with a hybrid receiver to extract maximum energy from unfocussed sunlight.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory found that perovskite solar cells degrade due to accumulated charge carriers and self-heal when exposed to darkness. Temperature control can stabilize device performance by reducing degradation mechanisms.
Scientists at Penn State University have developed a new high-pressure technique to create large-area thin-film silicon semiconductors at low temperatures in simple reactors. This approach could make large, flexible semiconductors more feasible for applications like flat-panel monitors and solar cells.
Researchers recommend increased subsidies and public funding to help Taiwanese solar producers develop advanced technology and compete globally. The study highlights the need for policymakers to encourage collaboration between academics and industry experts to drive innovation.
A team at the University of New South Wales has achieved the world's highest efficiency rating for a full-sized thin-film solar cell using CZTS technology. The innovation uses abundant materials and is non-toxic, making it suitable for widespread use in buildings.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new method to convert one type of perovskite into another, improving thermal stability and light absorption. The technique uses gas-based methods to flip the chemical switch, preserving the microstructure and morphology of the material.
Researchers observed defects forming during CIGSe solar cell fabrication and found that excess copper helps reduce defects. The study suggests that the copper-rich phase plays a crucial role in eliminating defects, regardless of temperature.
A team of chemists has developed a unique combination of PBDB-T and ITIC that converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 11%, surpassing most solar cells with fullerenes. The discovery paves the way for low-cost and reliable solar energy, with good thermal stability and potential for commercialization.
Researchers have discovered a new metamaterial that radiates heat in specific directions, making it ideal for use with thermophotovoltaic cells. This breakthrough could lead to highly efficient cells that harvest heat from surroundings and convert it into electricity.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory synthesized a stack of monolayers of two lattice-mismatched semiconductors, gallium selenide and molybdenum diselenide. The achievement demonstrates the promise of synthesizing mismatched layers to enable new families of functional two-dimensional materials.
A team has directly observed the cause for the missing efficiency in zinc oxide-based dye-sensitised solar cells. Interface states trap charge carriers, reducing efficiency levels.
Researchers at Stanford University found that applying pressure can increase the voltages of perovskite solar cells and enhance their electronic conductivity. This discovery holds promise for advancing low-cost tandem solar cells.
ORNL researchers have found a potential path to improve solar cell efficiency by understanding the competition among halogen atoms during perovskite synthesis. The study reveals that bromine, chlorine, and iodine ions facilitate growth but only iodine gets into the final crystal structure.
Researchers at NREL and SLAC pinpoint the chemical and physical changes that occur during the firing step in silicon solar cell manufacturing. They found that between 500-650 degrees Celsius, lead oxide etches the antireflective coating on the solar cell, while above 650 degrees, silver dissolves into the molten glass frit.
Researchers used X-rays to observe exactly how silver electrical contacts form during manufacturing, shedding light on the complex process. The results show that lead oxide plays a key role in forming the contact, etching away the solar cell's antireflective coating and allowing silver to move through and harden.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a strong non-contact heat transfer channel using light, achieving near-field radiative heat transfer between parallel objects at nanoscale distances. The team's approach has the potential to revolutionize energy conversion applications by converting wasted heat from combustion engines back to ...
Renowned researcher D. Yogi Goswami has been awarded the 2016 Böer Solar Energy Medal of Merit for his significant pioneering contributions to solar energy. His work focuses on reducing costs and developing efficient, effective storage methods for solar energy.
Scientists have developed transparent wood that can be used in building materials, potentially saving homeowners money on artificial lighting costs. The material, which is stronger than Plexiglass, still traps some light and may boost the efficiency of solar cells.
Researchers have developed a stable and conductive protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that enhances water oxidation efficiency. The innovative layer, made from ruthenium dioxide nanoparticles and an organic polymer, improves current densities and stability.
Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin developed a protective layer for the 'artificial leaf' that converts 12% of incident solar energy into hydrogen. The new layer, made from graphene, enables stable and efficient water splitting.
Scientists discovered that surface vibrations in nanomaterials significantly affect their behavior, impacting applications such as solar cells. The researchers found that suppressing these vibrations can lead to higher photocurrent and efficiency in solar cells.
The Office of Naval Research awarded $25 million to 47 young investigators for their promising basic research in various naval-relevant fields. The awardees will receive funding for laboratory equipment, graduate student stipends and scholarships.
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.