A novel, transparent, two-layer solar film — possessing an impressive efficiency conversion of 7.3% — has been created by researchers at the University of California–Los Angeles. This is about double the transparent solar cell efficiency the researchers had previously achieved. The solar film can be placed on windows, buildings, sunroofs, electronics displays, etc; harvesting energy while still at the same time allowing light to pass through and visibility/transparency to be maintained.
The new solar film is essentially an improved form of the “breakthrough photovoltaic cell design” that the same researchers unveiled last year – an improved form with nearly double the efficiency, that is. It consists of two thin polymer solar cells that work together to maximize sunlight collection and conversion to electricity — the two cells absorb more light than single-layer solar devices do because together they absorb light from a wider part of the solar spectrum. There’s also a thin layer of ‘novel materials’ present between the two cells that works to reduce energy loss.
Written by Nathan. To read the full article, click here.
SolarQuest 