News hardware Scientists have managed to create much more efficient solar panels
It is historic, while we know that an energy crisis is brewing in several countries, scientists have managed to make solar panels much more efficient than usual.
Much more efficient performance
For the past few weeks, we have been hearing a lot regarding the energy crisis that is hanging over us, especially this winter, when the government is even planning general cuts in certain regions.
The war in Ukraine and the closure of several nuclear power plants has something to do with it, and the idea that there might be blackouts in France is becoming more and more likely. Fortunately, science is advancing in parallel with these concerns, and obviously, the progress made on solar panel technology is on a very good track.
Scientists have managed to obtain a better yield than usual with solar panels, thanks to a tandem composed of silicon and perovskite, a crystal that has the particularity of being able to repair itself. Mass production of such a compound might be a real solution, but there is a small problem…
Indeed, perovskite is made from a lead alloy, which is notably known to be highly toxic. For now, research is progressing to create cleaner materials to address these concerns. However, it should be noted in particular that, as usual, solar panels convert only 22% of solar energy into electricity. Now, thanks to this discovery, scientists have managed to increase the figure to 30.1%, a real revolution that might lead, if used on a large scale, to a real feat for humanity.
Silicon Perovskite Solar Panel Cell
Solar panels: the future of renewable energy?
Even if the idea of installing solar panels everywhere is making its way into our heads, you should know that the cost of this technology is still too high to install it massivelyeven more among individuals.
The Dutch team of scientists has developed a technique consisting of four silicon and perovskite terminals to better capture solar energy and focus ultraviolet rays more effectively. As you will have understood, the goal here is to boost the ability to transform this solar energy into usable energy.
At present, the components are still too expensive, and as said before, too dangerous because of the lead in the perovskite alloy. But indirectly, this revolution in Dutch laboratories makes it possible to envisage the best for the future, in particular by equipping large infrastructures with this type of improved solar panels to reduce costs. With this advance, we imagine that this might evolve in a good direction by offering more affordable solar panels in the future, but above all, with higher yields, and therefore more beneficial for users.
