Solar engineers from UNSW have developed an innovative method to dramatically improve the quality of low-grade silicon, promising to significantly improve electrical efficiency and reduce the cost of solar panels.
The UNSW team has discovered a mechanism to control hydrogen atoms so they can better correct deficiencies in silicon – by far the most expensive component used in the making of solar cells.
“This process will allow lower-quality silicon to outperform solar cells made from better-quality materials,” says Scientia Professor Stuart Wenham from the School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering at UNSW.
Standard commercial silicon cells currently have a maximum efficiency of around 19%. The new technique, patented by UNSW researchers earlier this year, is expected to produce efficiencies between 21% and 23%, says Wenham.
“By using lower-quality silicon to achieve higher efficiencies, we can enable significant cost reductions,” he says.
The solar industry has long been focused on bringing down the cost of silicon. However, cheaper silicon also means lower-quality silicon, with more defects and contaminants that reduce efficiency.
It’s been known for several decades that hydrogen atoms can be introduced into the atomic structure of silicon to help correct these defects, but until now, researchers have had limited success in controlling the hydrogen to maximise its benefits or even understanding why this happens.
“Our research team at UNSW has worked out how to control the charge state of hydrogen atoms in silicon – something that other people haven’t previously been able to do,” says Wenham.
Hydrogen atoms can exist in three ‘charge’ states – positive, neutral and negative. The charge state determines how well the hydrogen can move around the silicon and its reactivity, which is important to help correct the defects.
“We have seen a 10,000 times improvement in the mobility of the hydrogen and we can control the hydrogen so it chemically bonds to things like defects and contaminants, making these inactive,” says Wenham.
The UNSW team currently has eight industry partners interested in commercialising the technology, and is also working with manufacturing equipment companies to implement the new capabilities.
The Latest Bing News on:
Low-grade silicon
- Q1 2024 Portland General Electric Co Earnings Callon April 26, 2024 at 10:12 pm
Gregg Orrill; Analyst; UBS Equities Willard Grainger; Analyst; Mizuho Securities USA ...
- How To Incorporate Homemade Dog Food Into Your Pup’s Diet, According To Expertson April 26, 2024 at 7:08 am
Homemade dog food is more popular than ever. If you're thinking about home-cooking for your pup, here's what you need to know, according to vets and pet care experts.
- Vanguard expands Common Mode Choke Inductor serieson April 26, 2024 at 5:25 am
Many of our high end industrial, military and aerospace customers Source: Vanguard Electronics are designing power supplies with high voltages and higher switching and need high power densities in a ...
- 11 insider tricks for the tech you use every dayon April 25, 2024 at 2:29 pm
Technology expert Kim Komando gives her tips and tricks on enhancing your user experience a smartphone and other devices you use everyday.
- The Best Zero-Waste Swaps from Hollywood-Loved Home and Beauty Brandson April 25, 2024 at 12:55 pm
As the climate crisis continues, sustainability has earned a starring role in film and TV — these plastic-free products can help cut down on waste.
- Quartz, cobalt, and the waste we leave behindon April 24, 2024 at 1:59 am
Some time before the first dinosaurs, two supercontinents, Laurasia and Gondwana, collided, forcing molten rock out from the depths of the Earth. As eons passed, the liquid rock cooled and geological ...
- One feature makes this the best Apple Watch titanium band availableon April 23, 2024 at 3:43 pm
Withit's interpretation of the Titanium band is just as luxurious as Apple's but sells for a fraction of the price. It has a handy clasp feature too.
- Rippling’s Parker Conrad on the company's new round, new SF lease, and also, its newest criticon April 22, 2024 at 9:05 am
TechCrunch broke the news that the workforce management software outfit Rippling was on the cusp of closing a new, $200 million round of funding at a hefty $13.4 billion valuation led by Coatue.
- I'm Eyeing These 5 Low-Cost Pieces to Refresh My Patio This Springon April 21, 2024 at 3:00 am
The minute it's nice enough to be outside for more than 10 minutes, you won't wrangle me back indoors. My little square of outdoor space is my second living room—between work calls and running errands ...
- Silicon wafer production reduced in April, N-type cell production continued to growon April 19, 2024 at 3:45 am
The output of n-type battery cells has maintained growth recently, while some manufacturers of p-type batteries have reduced production. Currently, some PERC production lines are under transformation, ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Low-grade silicon
[google_news title=”” keyword=”low-grade silicon” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Solar cells
- How Many Solar Panels Does It Take To Power An RV/Motorhome?on April 26, 2024 at 6:15 pm
Solar power for RVs is taking off, so if you're looking to add some solar panels to your vehicle, it can take some math to figure out exactly what you need.
- Solar panel plant coming to eastern North Carolina with 900 jobson April 26, 2024 at 1:26 pm
A Vietnamese-based company will build its first North American solar panel manufacturing plant in eastern North Carolina, creating over 900 jobs.
- 4,000 solar panels will help fuel innovation at Rockford aerospace facilityon April 26, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Eric Cunningham of Collins Aerospace says the company plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 1,500 metric tons in the coming year..
- Researchers outline path forward for tandem solar cellson April 26, 2024 at 7:22 am
As the old saying goes, two heads are better than one. The same is true when it comes to solar cells working in tandem. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy ...
- Solar panels in the eyes: reality or distant future?on April 26, 2024 at 4:44 am
Implanting tiny solar cells in people's eyes might sound like a futuristic idea, but it's what Australian scientists are exploring. This advanced technology could greatly help those with eye diseases.
- Scientists develop material with potential to revolutionize solar panel efficency: 'Significant leap forward'on April 26, 2024 at 3:15 am
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed a solar panel that is nearly twice as efficient as most existing solar panels, using something called "quantum material." External quantum efficiency ...
- US solar panel makers seek import tariffs to protect new domestic factorieson April 25, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Some of the world's largest solar equipment makers on Wednesday asked President Joe Biden's administration to impose tariffs on panels and cells from four Asian countries to protect billions of ...
- Key Solar Panel Ingredient Is Made in the U.S.A. Againon April 25, 2024 at 8:17 am
REC Silicon says it will soon start shipping polysilicon, which has come mostly from China, reviving a Washington State factory that shut down in 2019.
- New AD/CVD petition filed against solar cells and panels from Southeast Asiaon April 25, 2024 at 8:12 am
A new antidumping/countervailing duty petition has been filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and the Dept. of Commerce concerning ...
- The Myths And Truths About Why Electric Cars Don't Have Solar Panelson April 25, 2024 at 7:00 am
Although solar energy alone cannot fully power a car for real-world usage, manufacturers are overcoming challenges and getting closer by the hour.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Solar cells
[google_news title=”” keyword=”solar cells” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]