Eco Factor: New research points at solar panels that are up to 67% more efficient.
Scientists at Boston College have built solar cells that successfully use hot electrons to increase the cell’s power output, which could be used as a concept for better solar cells that break conventional efficiency limits. These researchers have come with solar panels that allow hot electrons to pass through before cooling, thereby increasing the cell’s output.
Although solar cells can be designed to absorb high-energy photons and use hot electrons, they cannot be used to absorb low-energy photons as well. However, the new solar cell design can absorb both types to generate more power.
The team believes that while conventional solar cells can convert at most about 35% of sunlight into electricity, these new cells will be able to absorb hot electrons as well as low-energy photons to convert up to 67% of sunlight energy into usable electricity.
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