Articles tagged with Photovoltaics
Scientists at EPFL have developed a method to enhance the packing of photosensitizer dye molecules, resulting in DSCs with power conversion efficiencies of up to 28.4% and long-term operational stability. This breakthrough offers promising prospects for applications as power supply and battery replacement for low-power electronic devices.
A new study published in Nature found that globalized supply chains for the solar industry saved countries $67 billion in production costs between 2006 and 2020. The study also estimates that strong nationalistic policies could increase solar panel prices by 20-25% by 2030, hindering efforts to meet climate targets.
Researchers at HZB develop tandem solar cells using perovskite and silicon, achieving record-breaking efficiencies of up to 29.8%. Customized nanotextures improve perovskite semiconductor materials by reducing reflection losses and parasitic absorption.
A research team at UNIST has developed a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with a special textured anti-reflective coating, increasing its power conversion efficiency to 23.50%. The device maintains its initial efficiency for 120 hours, outperforming existing devices which drop to 50% after 20 hours.
Researchers have developed a vertically oriented 2D Ruddlesden–Popper phase perovskite passivation layer for efficient and stable inverted PSCs. The new design achieved a champion PCE of 21.4% in devices with outstanding humidity and thermal stability.
Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a method to eliminate residual organic metal-binding ligands from transition metal oxide thin films, resulting in improved device stability and performance. The technique achieved a 20-fold enhancement in electrical conductivity and a 17.6% increase in efficiency.
Researchers have developed bifacial monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells with significantly higher output power potential. The design uses transparent conductive oxide as rear electrodes, enabling the harvest of light on both sides of the device.
Researchers from the University of Oklahoma are collaborating with Japanese institutions to develop new organic soft electronic materials for solar power. The goal is to create more efficient photovoltaics while exploring applications beyond traditional semiconductor uses, such as wearable medical devices.
Researchers developed a durable perovskite solar cell capable of generating electricity for over 1,000 continuous hours with an efficiency of more than 20%. The team improved durability by creating a water-repellent interface between the electron and hole transport layers.
A University of Houston professor has developed a nonreciprocal solar energy harvesting system that surpasses the thermodynamic limit and clears the way to use solar power 24/7. The new system can achieve significant efficiency boosts, paving the way for practical applications in power plants.
Researchers have developed a new type of low-cost selenium solar cell using tellurium alloy, which improves efficiency by expanding the absorption spectrum. The Se-1-x Te-x alloy system has shown promise in achieving high performance, with efficiencies over 1.85% achieved after nine months in air.
Researchers found that shadows on single cells or parallel-connected cells result in similar output current decrease ratios to sunlight. However, series-connected cells experience excess power loss and temperature rise, leading to further degradation.
Researchers from the University of South Australia found that households with solar panels and batteries can significantly reduce their annual electricity costs when charging electric vehicles. With off-peak charging, EV owners can save up to 39.6% on energy costs, making it a more affordable option for environmentally-friendly driving.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have invented a new application of perovskites as single-crystal optical fibers with exceptional stability, efficiency, and durability. These high-performance fibers could revolutionize broadband delivery, improve medical imaging, and even enable solar-powered clothing.
Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology design a novel approach to create durable organic semiconductor photocathodes, enabling high-efficiency conversion of solar energy to hydrogen. The developed photocathodes demonstrate remarkable stability and can produce hydrogen under actual sunlight.
Researchers at Rice University have created stable and efficient halide perovskite solar cells by finding the right solvent design to apply a 2D top layer on top of a 3D bottom layer. The new method achieves high power conversion efficiencies, comparable to commercially available solar cells, while maintaining stability.
A study by Duke University researchers found that rooftop solar cells can save a significant amount of water, with households saving an average of 16,200 gallons per year. Converting to solar in homes reduces the use of grid electricity and therefore also the volume of water used.
Researchers have developed a novel carrier doping method for p-type semiconductors, which improves photovoltaic device performance by increasing hole concentration. The new method uses alkali ion impurities to enhance conductivity in copper(I)-based semiconductors.
Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed a method to control active layer morphology in organic solar cells using water treatment. This approach led to more uniform thin films and higher power conversion efficiencies compared to non-treated samples. The study paves the way for large-scale, efficient organi...
Researchers at KAUST have discovered that the energy level alignment between donor and acceptor components in organic solar cells is crucial for device performance. Contrary to current belief, blends with little to no difference in one energy level metric were found to be poor performers.
Engineers at Rice University have discovered a way to manipulate light at the nanoscale that surpasses the traditional Moss rule for optical materials. The researchers found that iron pyrite has a high refractive index, making it suitable for applications such as virtual reality and 3D displays.
Researchers have successfully inserted nanotubes into bacteria, allowing for the creation of
Scientists have developed a new solar-powered laser with improved conversion efficiency, enabling more stable and efficient space-based energy generation. The design features four mirrors and laser rods, allowing for precise control over the pump cavity and minimizing thermal stress effects.
Researchers have discovered a nonlocal effect of anion segregation in mixed halide perovskite alloys, leading to the formation of a ring-shaped structure with potential applications for direct light charging. This phenomenon may not be an adverse effect but rather a useful mechanism for energy storage.
A WVU professor is developing advanced software and a simulation lab to enhance power grid crisis response. The research aims to create flexible, precise, and rapid responses from both network infrastructures and human grid operators.
Scientists at Linköping University have made a breakthrough in developing stable high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. They created an ion-modulated radical doping method for Spiro-OMeTAD, which eliminates the trade-off between efficiency and stability.
The new photodetector design combines long-range transport of optical energy with long-range conversion to electrical current, mimicking the photosynthetic complexes found in plants. The device can gather light from areas of about 0.01 mm² and achieve conversion of light to electrical current over exceptionally long distances of 0.1 nm.
A new wireless laser charging system uses infrared light to transfer high levels of power over distances of up to 30 meters, sufficient for charging sensors. The system automatically shifts to a safe low power delivery mode if an object or person blocks the line of sight, achieving hazard-free power delivery in free space.
Researchers found that certain molten salts can suppress dye aggregation in dye-sensitized solar cells, improving their performance. The introduction of these ionic liquids enhances photovoltaic parameters without significantly impacting dye adsorption.
Researchers from TU Wien and Hebrew University develop 'light trap' that allows complete absorption of light in thin layers using mirrors and lenses. The system works by steering the light beam into a circle and then superimposing it on itself, blocking any escape.
A team of researchers from TU Wien and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has developed a 'light trap' that absorbs light perfectly in thin layers. This method uses mirrors and lenses to steer the light beam into a circle and then superimpose it on itself, preventing the light from escaping.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new material, sodium bismuth sulfide (NaBiS2), that can absorb comparable levels of sunlight as conventional silicon solar cells but with 10,000 times lower thickness. The material has potential for making lightweight solar cells suitable for aerospace applications.
A homemade microspectrometer invented by Dr. Jamie Laird enables scientists to image defects in perovskite solar cells, improving stability and efficiency. This innovative technique has the potential to revolutionize next-generation photovoltaics, including space missions.
KAUST researchers created a more efficient solar-cell module by redesigning its optical design, reducing power conversion efficiency loss in real-world applications. The new module achieved an efficiency increase from 25.7% to 26.2% due to refractive-index engineering.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has observed the build-up of dark Moiré interlayer excitons for the first time using femtosecond photoemission momentum microscopy. This breakthrough allows scientists to study the optoelectronic properties of new materials in unprecedented detail.
GIST scientists create a new method to produce OSCs using zinc oxide that overcomes scalability issues without compromising PCE. The new technology uses sputtered ZnO and a ZnO nanoparticle layer obtained through blade coating, resulting in high conversion efficiencies.
Researchers have found a new method to process formamidinium-based perovskite films, relieving limitations by using ammonia treatment. This approach enables the creation of highly uniform films with improved power conversion efficiency.
Researchers have developed a method to create colorful solar panels by applying a thin layer of photonic glass, which reflects selective colors based on microscopic zinc sulfide spheres. The new technology results in energy efficiency improvements of up to 21.5% while maintaining color and durability.
Researchers at Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute have developed a renewable and rechargeable battery prototype that can charge smart wearables in just seconds using sunlight. The system, which combines zinc-ion batteries with perovskite solar cells, enables wearables to operate continuously without plug-in charging.
Inserting magnesium fluoride between perovskite and electron-transport layers reduces charge recombination and enhances performance, leading to a 50 millivolt increase in open-current voltage and a stabilized power conversion efficiency of 29.3 percent.
University of Arizona researchers Erin Ratcliff and Roger Angel are working on scaling paper-thin solar technology using perovskites. They aim to develop a low-cost quality control method to detect defects during manufacturing, enabling the production of robust and high-quality perovskite-based photovoltaics.
Cubic boron arsenide overcomes silicon's limitations, providing high electron and hole mobility and excellent thermal conductivity. The material has been shown to have a significant potential in various applications where its unique properties would make a difference.
Scientists at KIT create a prototype for fully scalable all-perovskite tandem solar modules with an efficiency of up to 19.1 percent, enabling commercial viability through optimized light paths and established industrial coating methods.
A recent study found that perovskite-on-silicon solar PV modules have 6-18% less environmental impact than traditional silicon modules over their 25-year lifetime. The tandem technology's higher power conversion efficiency compensates for its additional material and production costs.
Swansea University's nanomaterials researcher, Professor Christian Klinke, has secured £250,000 in funding to recruit early-career scientists. The new appointments will strengthen the research group's focus on nanocrystalline materials used in solar cells and LEDs.
A team of researchers at Osaka University measured the photovoltaic properties of antimony sulfiodide:sulfide devices and discovered a novel effect. They found that changing the color of incident light from visible to ultraviolet induced a reversible change in output voltage, while leaving current unchanged.
Scientists from the University of Surrey have created a method for producing high-quality, low-cost solar cell building blocks using perovskite ink. This breakthrough could pave the way for widespread adoption of perovskite-based solar panels, which are more efficient and lighter than traditional silicon cells.
The study achieved an efficiency of nearly 25 percent, surpassing previous values, by combining perovskites with CIS. The hybrid material enables the production of light and flexible tandem solar cells suitable for various applications.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have made a breakthrough in producing more efficient solar panels by focusing on the chemistry of perovskite materials. The new method, developed in collaboration with other institutions, increases efficiency and stabilizes energy deficiency over time.
Scientists at NREL have developed a tin-lead perovskite cell with a 25.5% efficiency, outperforming previous records by several hundred hours. The new cell uses additives to improve carrier lifetime and reduce defect density, leading to enhanced stability and voltage generation.
Ritsumeikan University researchers create a novel thin-film flexible piezoelectric-photovoltaic device that can generate electricity from indoor lighting. The device's performance is improved through strain-induced polarization in the ZnMgO layer, increasing open-circuit voltage and overcoming charge recombination issues.
Researchers have discovered a way to create devices that mimic natural photosynthesis, producing fuels like hydrogen instead of sugars. The breakthrough uses bismuth oxyiodide, a non-toxic semiconductor material that can produce clean hydrogen from water over weeks.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have invented a new type of porous solar cell that can power medical devices, including pacemakers. The innovative technology reduces the size of bulky batteries and eliminates the need for high temperatures or toxic gases in production.
Researchers have developed a single-cell PV design integrated with nonreciprocal optical components to provide 100-percent reuse of emitted radiation, breaking the Shockley–Queisser limit. This breakthrough enables a quasimonochromatic radiation converter to reach the theoretically maximum Carnot efficiency.
Researchers developed a hot-carrier multijunction solar cell that maintains high conversion efficiency with nonoptimal materials, expanding the scope of candidate designs. The novel architecture showed superior resilience to design imperfections, widening the range of suitable materials and operating conditions.
Scientists at TU Wien have developed a new photocatalyst design that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen using sunlight. This process, called photocatalytic water splitting, has the potential to produce environmentally friendly 'green hydrogen' with higher efficiency than traditional electrolysis methods.
Researchers propose a novel gravitational-based storage solution using lifts in tall buildings to store energy. The system, called Lift Energy Storage Technology (LEST), stores energy by lifting wet sand containers or other high-density materials.
A team of engineers and biologists at the University of Surrey created nanoparticles that mimic chlorophyll's light-absorbing properties with high efficiency. The new approach shows promise for future high-efficiency solar panels, potentially ditching toxic materials used to maintain intensity.
Researchers at NREL developed a triple-junction solar cell with unprecedented performance, reaching 39.5% efficiency under 1-sun global illumination. The new design uses quantum wells to modify solar properties and has a simpler structure for various applications.
Scientists discovered that tiny defects in perovskites, cheaper alternative materials for solar cells, also cause structural changes leading to degradation. By controlling the formation of these detrimental phases, researchers can improve performance and stability of devices, bringing them closer to commercialization.