Solar Panel Efficiency May Improve Significantly After Recent Discoveries

Improvements in solar panel efficiency may be on the horizon as research from the Australian National University (ANU) reduces their current limitations.

(Photo: Getty Images)

solar energy

Compared to fossil fuels, the sun’s energy is sufficient to meet the world’s energy needs and it won’t run out anytime soon.

The only limit to using solar energy as a renewable resource is our ability to convert it into electricity efficiently and economically.

With solar panels installed, maintenance costs associated with traditional methods of generating electricity are minimal.

Solar energy does not require fuel; therefore, it can generate large amounts of electricity without the risk and price of securing fuel supplies.

Compared to other forms of power generation, solar energy has a much lower impact on the environment because it is a CO2-free renewable energy source.

This impact is mostly related to the supply and manufacture of the unique metals and materials needed to make solar panels.

The location and water used to clean solar panels can also affect the ecosystem.

Hard-working experts are improving solar technology.

Also read: Climate crisis puts power supply stability at risk

(Photo: Image via Sebastian Ganso on Pixabay)

Researchers at the Australian National University have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of silicon photovoltaics (PV), or solar cells.

This is achieved by adding “passivated connections” between their metal and silicon components to increase the productivity of solar cells, aa citing Science Daily.

According to the principal Research Fellow at Australian National University and Ph.D. candidate Mohamed Ismael, “These results will help push the performance of silicon solar cells closer to their theoretical limits.”

“The only limitation is our ability to turn it into electricity cheaply,” he said. “Every day, the sun provides far more energy than is needed to power the entire planet.”

A solar cell is a machine that converts photons (a form of light energy) into electricity.

Currently, the direct interaction of metals with silicon causes severe electrical losses, preventing solar cells from reaching their full potential.

“Transition metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide, have various properties that make them excellent passivating contact layers,” said Dr. Lachlan Black.

While the concept is not new, the combination of these layers leads to better results and higher operating voltages than ever before.

The research team’s goal is to advance the technology to the point where it can be widely used in industrial solar cells.

The silicon solar cell business accounts for 95% of all commercial solar cells, making the photovoltaic market a multi-billion dollar industry.

Given their advantages over their competitors, they are expected to remain dominant for the foreseeable future.

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“If we are successful, we may be able to use our technology in almost any new solar panel installed on rooftops or in utility-scale solar installations,” said Dr. Black.

There are practical problems that must be solved before this technology can be used, but the PV community is actively working to find solutions.

In addition to helping combat climate change, Ismail noted that improving solar cell efficiency creates new business prospects for this low-cost, clean energy source.

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