
via Incheon National University
Solar power has shown immense potential as a futuristic, ‘clean’ source of energy. No wonder environmentalists worldwide have been looking for ways to advance the current solar cell technology. Now, scientists have put forth an innovative design for the development of a high-power transparent solar cell. This innovation brings us closer to realizing our goal of a sustainable green future with off-the-grid living.
Today, the imminent climate change crisis demands a shift from conventionally used fossil fuels to efficient sources of green energy. This has led to researchers looking into the concept of “personalized energy,” which would make on-site energy generation possible. For example, solar cells could possibly be integrated into windows, vehicles, cellphone screens, and other everyday products. But for this, it is important for the solar panels to be handy and transparent. To this end, scientists have recently developed “transparent photovoltaic” (TPV) devices — transparent versions of the traditional solar cell. Unlike the conventionally dark, opaque solar cells (which absorb visible light), TPVs make use of the “invisible” light that falls in the ultraviolet (UV) range.
Conventional solar cells can be either “wet type” (solution based) or “dry type” (made up of metal-oxide semiconductors). Of these, dry-type solar cells have a slight edge over the wet-type ones: they are more reliable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. Moreover, metal-oxides are well-suited to make use of the UV light. Despite all this, however, the potential of metal-oxide TPVs has not been fully explored until now.
To this end, researchers from Incheon National University, Republic of Korea, came up with an innovative design for a metal-oxide-based TPV device. They inserted an ultra-thin layer of silicon (Si) between two transparent metal-oxide semiconductors with the goal of developing an efficient TPV device. These findings were published in a study in Nano Energy, which was made available online on August 10, 2020 (ahead of the scheduled final publication in the December 2020 issue). Prof Joondong Kim, who led the study, explains, “Our aim was to devise a high-power-producing transparent solar cell, by embedding an ultra-thin film of amorphous Si between zinc oxide and nickel oxide.”
This novel design consisting of the Si film had three major advantages. First, it allowed for the utilization of longer-wavelength light (as opposed to bare TPVs). Second, it resulted in efficient photon collection. Third, it allowed for the faster transport of charged particles to the electrodes. Moreover, the design can potentially generate electricity even under low-light situations (for instance, on cloudy or rainy days). The scientists further confirmed the power-generating ability of the device by using it to operate the DC motor of a fan.
Based on these findings, the research team is optimistic that the real-life applicability of this new TPV design will soon be possible. As for potential applications, there are plenty, as Prof Kim explains, “We hope to extend the use of our TPV design to all kinds of material, right from glass buildings to mobile devices like electric cars, smartphones, and sensors.” Not just this, the team is excited to take their design to the next level, by using innovative materials such as 2D semiconductors, nanocrystals of metal-oxides, and sulfide semiconductors. As Prof Kim concludes, “Our research is essential for a sustainable green future — especially to connect the clean energy system with no or minimal carbon footprint.”
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Transparent solar cells
- Smartphones could be charged by invisible solar panels hidden in screen, scientists sayon January 25, 2021 at 5:51 am
Smartphones in the future could be powered by invisible solar panels built into the device’s screen. Adding the ability to charge from the Sun, by using the glass in the screen, has long been a dream ...
- Maxeon Solar Technologies Earns Prestigious LEED Gold Certificationon January 19, 2021 at 3:04 am
It is a transparent process that includes a set ... We're proud to tell our customers that every Maxeon IBC solar cell we make will now come from a LEED Gold-certified facility." ...
- Maxeon Solar Technologies Earns Prestigious LEED Gold Certificationon January 19, 2021 at 2:05 am
Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd. (NASDAQ:MAXN), a global leader in solar innovation, announced today that its Maxeon solar cell ...
- NSG Group Factory Installs Transparent Solar Windowon January 17, 2021 at 4:00 pm
A fully transparent, energy-generating window featuring UE Power, UE’s transparent photovoltaic technology was recently installed at the NSG facility in Northwood, Ohio. This building integrated ...
- Transparent PV-based greenhouse takes shape in Australiaon January 17, 2021 at 8:30 am
The greenhouse will utilise ClearVue’s transparent solar glass technology ... 30 watts per square metre while maintaining 70% transparency. The IGUs feature solar PV cells around the edges of each ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Transparent solar cells
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Personalized energy
- CleanSpark Announces Enhancements to mVSO Energy Modeling Softwareon January 26, 2021 at 6:59 am
(Nasdaq: CLSK), (“CleanSpark, or the Company”), an advanced software and controls technology solutions company focused on solving modern energy challenges, today announced a release upgrade to its ...
- Uplight Puts 1.7 Million Energy Saving Devices into the Hands of Customers, Breaking Marketplace Sales Recordson January 26, 2021 at 4:02 am
Uplight, the technology partner for energy providers transitioning to the clean energy ecosystem, had a record breaking year for Marketplaces in 2020 with a sales increase of 39% year over year.
- Kentucky artists create custom portraits of those who died from COVID-19on January 26, 2021 at 12:28 am
Many families who lost loved ones during the pandemic also lost a chance to say, "Goodbye." That is why some local artists are creating custom portraits of people who died from COVID-19, so their ...
- What lessons does special education hold for personalized learning?on January 26, 2021 at 12:00 am
How can we apply lessons from special education, such as the use of Individual Education Programs, or IEPs, to personalized learning?
- Study: Personalized Brain Stimulation Alleviates Severe Depression Symptomson January 25, 2021 at 7:29 am
The approach is being developed specifically as a potential treatment for the significant fraction of people with debilitating depression who do not respond to existing therapies and are at high risk ...