Scientists achieved an energy conversion efficiency of 27%, which is close to the performance of single-layer photovoltaic systems. Eventually, it will be possible to increase this figure to 45%.
A coating of a new energy-generating material developed by Oxford University researchers on the surfaces of various objects such as backpacks, cars and smartphones can change energy production. About it writes Interesting Engineering.
Thin and flexible enough to be applied to the surface of an ordinary object and any building, the new light-absorbing material matches the characteristics of single-layer energy-generating substances known as silicon photovoltaics elements.
The researchers used a technology developed in Oxford that combines several light-absorbing layers into a single solar cell. According to scientists, they used a wider range of the light spectrum, which makes it possible to generate more energy from the same amount of sunlight. As a result, the material provides energy efficiency of more than 27%.
During five years of experiments, scientists raised the efficiency of energy conversion from 6% to more than 27%, which is close to the indicators of single-layer photovoltaic systems. Over time, it will be possible to achieve much higher efficiency, exceeding 45%, researchers believe. For comparison: today the energy efficiency of solar panels is about 22%.
The thickness of the coating — just over one micron, which is almost 150 times thinner than a silicon wafer. Unlike today's solar cells, the new material can be applied to almost any surface.
This innovation is expected to lower the cost of solar energy and make it a more sustainable form of renewable energy.
Scientists are confident that a similar coating can be created on the basis of perovskite to generate solar energy on the roofs of cars and buildings, the back panels of smartphones.
“The latest innovations in the field of solar materials and technologies can become a platform for a new industry , which produces materials for more sustainable and cheaper solar energy production using existing buildings, vehicles and facilities”, — scientists explained.