Articles tagged with "photovoltaic-technology"
Gold nanoparticles boost solar efficiency by capturing full spectrum
A research team from Korea University has developed a novel gold nanoparticle material called "supraballs" that significantly enhances solar energy absorption by capturing nearly the entire solar spectrum. Unlike traditional gold or silver nanoparticles, which primarily absorb visible wavelengths and thus only a fraction of sunlight, these supraballs are self-assembled clusters of gold nanoparticles optimized in size to absorb a broader range of wavelengths. When applied as a coating on a commercial thermoelectric generator (TEG), the supraballs nearly doubled solar absorption compared to conventional gold nanoparticle films, achieving about 89 percent absorption versus 45 percent. The team used computer simulations to design and optimize the supraballs for maximum sunlight absorption, predicting over 90 percent efficiency, which was then validated through real-world testing under ambient conditions without specialized equipment. This coating technology offers a simple and cost-effective method to improve solar-thermal and photothermal systems, potentially lowering barriers to high-efficiency solar energy harvesting in practical applications. The study detailing these findings
energysolar-energygold-nanoparticlesnanomaterialsphotovoltaic-technologysolar-absorptionenergy-harvestingAussie engineers set world record that could lower solar panel costs
Australian engineers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have set a new world record for antimony chalcogenide solar cells, achieving a certified efficiency of 10.7%, the highest independently verified result globally. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing efficiency plateau that had persisted since 2020. The key innovation involved introducing a small amount of sodium sulfide during fabrication, which corrected the uneven distribution of sulfur and selenium in the solar-absorbing layer. This uniformity eliminated internal energy barriers that previously hindered electrical charge flow, thereby significantly improving the solar cell's performance. Antimony chalcogenide is a promising material for next-generation tandem solar cells, which stack multiple layers to capture different parts of the solar spectrum and boost overall efficiency. It is composed of abundant, low-cost elements and offers advantages such as high light absorption, inorganic stability, and low-temperature manufacturing, making it a cost-effective and durable alternative to existing materials. Beyond tandem solar panels, its ultrathin and
solar-energyphotovoltaic-technologysolar-cellsantimony-chalcogeniderenewable-energyenergy-efficiencymaterials-scienceNew perovskite solar cells retain 95% performance after 1,100 hours
Researchers at the University of Manchester, led by Professor Thomas Anthopoulos, have developed a new type of perovskite solar cell that combines high efficiency with remarkable stability under heat. By introducing small-molecule amidinium ligands acting as a "molecular glue," the team was able to smooth the perovskite surface and eliminate microscopic defects that previously caused energy loss and rapid material degradation. This innovation led to solar cells achieving a power conversion efficiency of 25.4% and retaining over 95% of their performance after 1,100 hours of continuous use at 85°C, a temperature that typically causes earlier versions to fail. This breakthrough addresses the longstanding challenge of perovskite solar cells' instability, which had hindered their commercial viability despite their advantages over traditional silicon panels, such as being lightweight, flexible, and cheaper to produce. The protective molecular coating fosters the growth of stable, low-dimensional perovskite layers that act as a structural shield, ensuring efficient energy
energysolar-cellsperovskitematerials-sciencerenewable-energyphotovoltaic-technologyenergy-efficiencyTin-based perovskites could be used to make stable, eco-friendly solar cells
Researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the University of Potsdam have investigated ion densities in four common perovskite compounds used for solar cells, discovering that tin-based perovskites produced with an alternative solvent exhibit significantly lower ion density—only one tenth that of lead-based perovskites. This lower ion density correlates with enhanced stability, as mobile halide ions are a primary cause of degradation in perovskite solar cells. The team found that tin perovskites degrade five times slower than lead-based ones, with one tin perovskite variant showing excellent operational stability for over 600 hours. The tin perovskites were synthesized using different solvents, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and a DMF-DMI solvent mixture, the latter helping to avoid tin oxidation and reduce ion migration. Lead-based perovskites exhibited the highest ion density, while tin-lead mixtures and tin-only perovskites
energyperovskite-solar-cellstin-based-perovskitesphotovoltaic-technologysemiconductor-materialssolar-energymaterial-stabilityWhy did Ivanpah Fail?
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System was initially celebrated as a groundbreaking advancement in utility-scale clean energy, aiming to transform solar power generation through concentrated solar power (CSP) technology. However, as the facility ceases operations, its failure prompts critical examination of whether the technology itself was flawed or if Ivanpah was simply outpaced by rapidly advancing and more cost-effective photovoltaic (PV) solar technologies. The project’s decline highlights the challenges faced by CSP in an evolving energy market dominated by cheaper and faster-to-deploy PV systems. Ivanpah’s shutdown raises broader questions about the viability of concentrated solar power as a long-term solution, suggesting that its struggles may be less about inherent technological shortcomings and more about unfortunate timing amid shifting energy economics and market preferences.
energysolar-powerconcentrated-solar-powerrenewable-energyphotovoltaic-technologyclean-energyenergy-economicsChina's perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell hits 33.35% efficiency
A Chinese company, Longi, has achieved a world record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 33.35% for a flexible perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell, certified by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This marks the first internationally recognized record for a flexible crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem solar cell, highlighting its potential for commercial use in lightweight and flexible photovoltaic applications such as space and vehicle-integrated solar power. The tandem cell is built on a 60-micron-thick ultra-thin silicon bottom cell and demonstrates high efficiency on both small (1 cm²) and wafer-sized (260 cm²) areas, with a power-per-weight ratio of up to 1.77 W/g. The breakthrough relies on a dual-buffer-layer strategy that enhances interfacial adhesion and mitigates damage during manufacturing, while preserving efficient charge extraction. This involves a bilayer of tin oxide (SnOx) deposited via atomic layer deposition and chemical vapor deposition to
energysolar-cellsperovskitephotovoltaic-technologytandem-solar-cellsflexible-solar-panelspower-conversion-efficiencyEngineers close in on 40% efficiency with next-gen solar cells
Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), led by Professors Li Gang and Yang Guang, have made significant strides in improving perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSCs), aiming to boost their energy conversion efficiency from about 34% to nearly 40%. These next-generation solar cells have the potential to outperform traditional silicon cells, offering a promising path toward more efficient, stable, and scalable photovoltaic technology. The team’s work addresses key challenges such as maintaining device reliability when scaling from lab-scale to commercial-sized modules, mitigating degradation caused by environmental factors like moisture and ultraviolet light, and ensuring manufacturing processes meet industrial standards. In addition to technical hurdles, the researchers highlight environmental concerns related to the use of rare elements and lead in perovskite materials. They advocate for the development of sustainable alternatives and effective lead recycling systems to ensure the technology’s long-term viability. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration among academia, industry, and research institutions, the team stresses that integrating material science
energysolar-cellsperovskitephotovoltaic-technologyclean-energyenergy-efficiencymaterials-scienceThe Rise Of Perovskite Solar Cells, The Fall Of Fossil Fuels
The article highlights the rapid advancement and growing market presence of perovskite solar cells as a transformative technology in the solar energy sector. Traditional silicon solar cells, while effective, are relatively costly and complex to manufacture. In contrast, perovskite solar cells, based on lab-grown crystals mimicking the mineral perovskite, offer a promising alternative due to their lower production costs and increasing efficiency. Since the first perovskite solar cell was reported in 2009 with a modest 3.8% efficiency, researchers have rapidly improved this figure to routinely achieve double-digit efficiencies, with some tandem designs potentially exceeding 30%. A key challenge for perovskite solar cells has been their fragility and limited durability, which researchers are addressing through innovative engineering solutions such as tandem cells that combine perovskite layers with silicon. This hybrid approach leverages the strengths of both materials, resulting in lighter, more flexible, and more efficient solar panels at a lower cost than silicon alone.
energysolar-cellsperovskitephotovoltaic-technologyrenewable-energysolar-powermaterials-scienceUS firm’s 3D solar towers generate 50% more energy than flat panels
Texas-based company Janta Power has developed patented three-dimensional (3D) solar towers that generate approximately 50% more energy than conventional flat-panel solar arrays. These vertical towers maximize space efficiency by fitting three times the solar surface area into one-third of the land required by traditional solar farms. The design captures low-angle sunlight throughout the day by automatically tracking the sun’s path, enabling extended and more consistent energy generation that better aligns with grid demand and reduces stress on the electrical grid. The towers achieve a capacity factor of about 32%, compared to roughly 22% for flat panels, aided by active shading optimization and control software. Janta Power recently secured $5.5 million in seed funding led by MaC Venture Capital to scale up manufacturing and commercialization. The technology is being piloted at major global airports such as Dallas–Fort Worth International, Munich International, and Aena-operated airports, demonstrating suitability for land-constrained, high-security environments. Constructed with steel and modular foundations, the towers
energysolar-energyphotovoltaic-technologyrenewable-energysolar-towersenergy-efficiencysustainable-energyBreakthrough solar tech could power next-gen panels to 30% efficiency
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney have developed a breakthrough solar cell technology that could boost silicon photovoltaic panel efficiency to over 30%, surpassing the typical 20-25% range of current commercial panels. This advancement is achieved by adding a singlet fission layer composed of a robust, photostable organic molecule called dipyrrolonaphthyridinedione (DPND) on top of existing silicon cells. Unlike previous attempts using unstable molecules like tetracene, DPND is compatible with crystalline silicon and scalable manufacturing. The singlet fission process captures high-energy photons and splits them into two excitons that match silicon’s bandgap, effectively doubling the electrical output from these photons and reducing heat generation. Beyond efficiency gains, the technology enables solar panels to operate at temperatures up to 2.4°C cooler, potentially extending their lifespan by about 4.5 years and improving real-time performance since silicon cell efficiency typically declines with heat. This
energysolar-energyphotovoltaic-technologysolar-panelsmaterials-sciencerenewable-energysinglet-fissionCambridge discovery helps solar panels capture more sunlight power
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered a groundbreaking organic semiconductor molecule, P3TTM, that enables solar panels to achieve nearly 100% charge collection efficiency. This molecule, featuring a single unpaired electron at its core, exhibits a light-harvesting mechanism previously thought exclusive to inorganic materials like metal oxides. When tightly packed, the unpaired electrons in P3TTM align alternately, triggering a Mott-Hubbard behavior that facilitates immediate generation of positive and negative charges upon light absorption, producing a highly efficient photocurrent without needing multiple materials. This discovery challenges nearly a century of physics by demonstrating that a single organic material can independently generate electrical charges, simplifying solar cell design and potentially lowering manufacturing costs. The research honors physicist Sir Nevill Mott, whose foundational work on electron interactions underpins this new application in organic semiconductors. The findings, published in a scientific journal, open a promising avenue for creating lighter, simpler, and more efficient solar panels, accelerating progress toward
energysolar-panelsorganic-semiconductorphotovoltaic-technologycharge-collection-efficiencyCambridge-Universityrenewable-energy-materialsFloating solar module with 21.78% output resists offshore conditions
A Chinese company, GCL System Integration (GCL SI), in collaboration with Norwegian marine solar specialist Ocean Sun, has developed a floating photovoltaic (PV) module named NT10/60GT designed for offshore conditions. The 480W module achieves a peak efficiency of 21.78% and is engineered to withstand harsh marine environments, including high humidity, saltwater exposure, and potential induced degradation (PID). Integrated with Ocean Sun’s patented floating platform, the system benefits from direct seawater contact that enhances heat dissipation and boosts energy conversion efficiency. The module features a frameless design, flexible membrane connections, prefabricated rails, and an IP68-rated junction box with four-layer waterproof protection, ensuring durability against offshore wind, waves, and corrosion. The NT10/60GT module incorporates dual-glass construction and anodized aluminum alloy frames to resist salt spray corrosion and aging, contributing to long-term stability. It supports a maximum voltage of 1500 V and is compatible with MC4 connectors
energysolar-energyfloating-solar-modulephotovoltaic-technologyoffshore-renewable-energyenergy-efficiencycorrosion-resistance-materialsGermany's 36% efficient micro-CPV boosts solar power while cutting costs
energysolar-powermicro-CPVrenewable-energyphotovoltaic-technologyefficiencysustainable-energyNREL-Led Research Effort Adds Salt, Boosts Performance of Perovskites
energysolar-cellsperovskiterenewable-energyphotovoltaic-technologyefficiencydurability