Solar Cell Design with Over 50% Energy-Conversion Efficiency
Solar cells convert the sun’s energy into electricity by converting photons into electrons. A new solar cell design could raise the energy conversion efficiency to over 50% by absorbing the spectral components of longer wavelengths that are usually lost during transmission through the cell. These findings were published on April 6 in the online edition of Nature Communications.
In theory, 30% energy-conversion efficiency is the upper limit for traditional single-junction solar cells, as most of the solar energy that strikes the cell passes through without being absorbed, or becomes heat energy instead. Experiments have been taking place around the world to create various solar cell designs that can lift these limitations on conversion efficiency and reduce the loss of energy. The current world record is at 46% percent for a 4-junction solar cell. If the energy-conversion efficiency of solar cells surpasses 50%, it would have a big impact on the cost of producing electricity.
In order to reduce these large energy losses and raise efficiency, Professor Kita’s research team used two small photons from the energy transmitted through a single-junction solar cell containing a hetero-interface formed from semiconductors with different bandgaps. Using the photons, they developed a new solar cell structure for generating photocurrents.
The team will continue to design solar cells, and assess their performance based on conversion efficiency, working towards a highly efficient solar cell for low-cost energy production.
Contacts and sources:
Citation: “Two-step photon up-conversion solar cells”
Authors:Shigeo Asahi, Haruyuki Teranishi, Kazuki Kusaki, Toshiyuki Kaizu, and Takashi Kita Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University
Journal:Nature Communications 8, Article number: 14962 (2017)
doi:10.1038/ncomms14962
Source:
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Its only good if its cheap to produce.
A much more useful metric to bring solar power to the world, would be watts per dollar.