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Dramatic improvement in solar cell technology

Researchers make key improvement in solar cell technology, EurekAlart, 29 Feb 16 Low-cost alternative boosts maximum voltage WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY PULLMAN, WASH. – RESEARCHERS HAVE REACHED A CRITICAL MILESTONE IN SOLAR CELL FABRICATION, HELPING PAVE THE WAY FOR SOLAR ENERGY TO DIRECTLY COMPETE WITH ELECTRICITY GENERATED BY CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES.

Led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and in collaboration with Washington State University and the University of Tennessee, the researchers improved the maximum voltage available from a cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell, overcoming a practical limit that has been pursued for six decades and is key to improving its efficiency. The work is published in the Feb. 29 issue of Nature Energy……..

The research was funded by the Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative, which aims to make solar cost-competitive with traditional energy sources. It was also supported in part by Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences.

The research is in keeping with Washington State University’s Grand Challenges initiative stimulating research to address some of society’s most complex issues. It is particularly relevant to the challenge of “Sustainable Resources for Society” and its theme of meeting energy needs while protecting the environment. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-02/wsu-rmk022616.php

March 2, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | general