New Material Rocking the Solar Power

Solar cells have been the talk of the town for decades now. Not only have solar cells helped in achieving an affordable and effective method of using the sun for electricity production, but they have also ensured a greener environment.

One of the most exciting recent inventions is the one made by a talented scientist from the University of Toledo, Dr. Yanfa Yan (pictured below). This physicist has been able to successfully enhance the working of photovoltaic cells through an efficient chemical method.  

By using a unique chemical formula and applying it on a conventional solar cell, this scientist has upgraded the efficiency to an appreciable level. By experimenting with an older procedure of solar cell manufacturing, Dr. Yan has made an entirely new material.  

The invention is the result of the collaboration between the University of Toledo and other renowned institutes/research labs which include the University of Colorado and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab. This sophisticated and unique material has been termed as a “tandem perovskite solar cell”.

This photovoltaic invention has left everyone intrigued due to the reportedly high performance after incorporation of the new material. These solar cells are ready to be released commercially and to be sold for domestic or industrial use by commercial solar installers. These unique solar cells will be used during the manufacturing of solar panels on a large scale. The new perovskite solar cells have been made from a special compound material which shows an intricate crystalline structure.

Therefore, it is being predicted that silicon will no longer be the favorite material during solar cell manufacturing. The perovskite material will be preferred as it is able to change the sun’s energy to electricity more efficiently

In fact, the scientists are now achieving efficiencies of the new perovskite material of up to 23-percent, as compared to the older silicon solar panels which have an 18 -percent efficiency.  

In addition, scientists are employing a guanidinium thiocyanate compound to change the structural properties of the complex lead-tin perovskite films

So, the recap: the perovskite solar cells combine higher efficiency plus lower cost than traditional silicon solar cells. And many entities are chomping at the bit to commercial these cells ASAP!