Advance in solar power technology

[ShannonBush]

Originally Posted by glatt

, but I just saw it. A team at Princeton has developed a new kind of solar cell and dramatically increased its efficiency. This new cell uses nanotechnology to be almost 3 times more efficient than the best cells out there today.



In a nutshell, there is a tiny mesh on the top surface of the cell, and light waves can get through the holes in the mesh, but can't bounce back out because the holes are too small. So they get trapped inside and generate electricity.
Attachment 42173
The conventional cell reflects a ton of light, but the new cell traps it. These new cells look pitch black and work well even on cloudy days.

Electron microscope view of the mesh on the surface of the cell.
Attachment 42174

Nanotechnology sounds expensive to manufacture, but solar cells are already expensive to manufacture, so maybe these new cells can compete on price too. I hope so.

Solar technology has come long way in recent time but still there is lot to do to improve efficiency.. I have got solar panels and i am not able to get the desired electricity output