The lightweight and flexible solar cells
Erik Johannsen and his research team are determined to find a new material environmental friendly, easy and cheap to manufacture, alternative to silicon cells. The team of scientists recently published (Dec 2017) their study in the journal Energy and Environmental Science and revealed an innovative technology that can be used to create a new type of solar cell ultra-light and flexible.
The creation process is complicated using nanospikes crystals and because the layers are so thin, the product is very flexible and elastic with a high-level photovoltaic performance solar cells even after repetitive deformations and compressions.
At this stage of the research, the result is only about a square centimetre and not yet to be launch but scientist have great hopes. The lightweight and flexible solar cells represent numerous advantages and usages. This material is easy to transport and to store. Less energy and materials are needed to manufacture which make it more environment-friendly than silicon solar cells. Weightless photovoltaic is interesting in numerous usages wherever weight is important. These could be used as an extra layer on roofs or find new applications in the spacecraft and aircraft industry.
Back in 2015, a team of scientists from the Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria also reported the creation of a flexible and lightless solar cell using different technologies.
Read the article here.
The see-through solar cells
In 2014, a team of searchers from the Michigan state university created a new type of solar cells completely transparent which, when positioned on a window, generates energy without blocking the view. Unlike other “transparent” solar cells that have been created before, this one completely transparent and not tinted.
The technology is still at its early stage with a percentage efficiency above 5, while current solar panels efficiency ranges between 15 and 18 percent. However, this could be a big thing for the solar industry considering the large range of applications: windows, cars, phones or any glass surface. The researchers estimate that around 5 to 7 billion square meters of glass surface in the United States could be used to generate around 40 percent of the country’s energy demand.
An English company is the first to sell see-through solar panels. At the moment, they only produce grey tinted windows. But their next step is to create a solar panel/window completely clear and efficient.
The perovskite solar cells
Perovskite solar cells are considered as the future of solar cells and could be a game changer in the solar industry as this material is very effective with low manufacturing costs. Perovskite cells are also easy to assemble combining inorganic and organic components. In solution, they also can be applied to glass or film.
Scientists believe that perovskite cells would beat the efficiency of our traditional silicon cells. Although they have been studied for a few years only, they efficiency has raised faster than any other solar cells ever studied. The scientists report that perovskite solar cells have already reached 20% of efficiency in laboratories.
The technology is still at its early stage of the research and the major unknown is their durability and efficiency in the long term.
The future has begun! Join the solar revolution. Call Energis today on 1300 782 217, or send us an enquiry.
