Engineers in Australia Create Most Efficient Solar Cells Ever

Despite solar energy being in common use for the last decade, the most scientists were able to harvest from the massive amounts of solar energy bombarding our planet was 24 percent on each solar cell. Technically the trade-off is worth it since we don’t need to do anything to make the sun shine, but researchers in Australia have found a way to increase this number by a wide margin. What does this mean for financing energy resources in the future?

10.5 Percent

The researchers at the University of South New Wales have managed to increase the amount of solar energy collected to 34.5 percent. This doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a huge leap considering scientists theorized we wouldn’t get near this percentage for decades. The average solar cells have been pushed to collect 40 percent of solar energy, but that requires focusing the sun’s rays in specific areas — which adds to the cost of solar and requires computers to position the beams. Picture a solar-powered car needing extra components to adjust the mirrors and cells in accordance with the angle of the sun. Financing for that car would be a nightmare.

Easier on the Consumer

What this all means is that it’ll take fewer panels to make more energy, which in turn makes solar energy solutions easier to finance. If people need to buy three square panels to get their energy needs met as opposed to five, more people will be able to afford it. The cost to install the panels onto a car or other vehicle will make the reliance on fossil fuels less of a problem as solar power becomes the cheaper alternative. The discovery, which is ahead of its time, can also lead to faster advancements in solar cell technology in the near and distant future.

The Future of Solar

With the ability to collect more energy for less, this can lead to advancements not just for the local consumer, but on a global scale. Making the panels more affordable can help developing third world nations have access to a cheaper and renewable power source. In space technology where solar power is considered the only way to sustain long space flight, this brings us one step closer to exploring our galaxy — or on the smaller side, fewer maintenance trips for satellites that will be in orbit in the future. Space capabilities can be enhanced as more power can be drawn from the sun, opening up for an exciting, solar-powered age.

Joe Meyere is a renewable energy writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Elements Capital Group. Follow on Twitter.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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