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Solar array at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Credit: theregeneration/flickr

By Rich Bowden:

Australian researchers have come up with an ingenious method of increasing the efficiency of conventional solar cells.

A team led by University of Sydney scientists Dr Tim Schmidt and Professor Max Crossley have achieved a one third increase in the upconversion efficiency of solar cells by harvesting the part of the solar spectrum currently unused by the alternative energy technology, said a university news release.

The statement says the university researchers achieved the result by synthesising “…unique sensitiser and emitter molecules to bring about tailor-made devices to boost solar energy conversion efficiencies in two types of solar cell: amorphous silicon, and crystalline silicon.

“All but the most expensive solar cells utilise a material with a Single energy threshold in the material which produces voltage by promoting electrons above this threshold upon absorption of light,” said Dr Schmidt. “As a consequence, particles of light (photons) with energy less than this threshold cannot be harvested by the cell. Additionally, energy in excess of this threshold is lost to heat.”

Revolution in Efficiency

Dr Schmidt added that the breakthrough in utilising these photons will greatly increase the efficiency of traditional solar cell technology.

“By performing upconversion cheaply, we will lift the ceiling afflicting traditional solar calls and bring a revolution in solar cell efficiencies.”

Australia is well placed to lead the world in solar cell efficiency continued Dr Schmidt.

“Australia is the world leader in both of these technologies, and by applying our technology, Australia can lead the world still further,” he said.

The team’s findings are published in the most recent issue of the journal Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics.

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