A team of researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) set a new record for the conversion of sunlight into energy, setting up a bright future for solar energy technology.
The researchers have set a new efficiency record of 27.7 per cent for mechanically stacked perovskite-silicon tandem cells–meaning 27.7 per cent of sunlight is converted into energy. Typical rooftop solar installed at the moment have an efficient of approximately 20 per cent.
The ANU team, based in Canberra, works on developing ‘tandem solar cells’, which involves stacking a perovskite solar cell (a new type of solar cell which uses organic and inorganic materials in a purpose built structure that enhances light absorption) on top of a silicon cell (which are made from only inorganic materials and can only absorb red light) to generate twice as much energy out of sunlight.
Professor Kylie Catchpole of the ANU team advised in a media release that this percentage would only need to increase slightly, to approximately 30 per cent, before the technology could be rolled out around the world.
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“Silicon solar cells currently dominate the market, however the efficiency of silicon solar cells is going to reach the limit in the next five to 10 years. This result demonstrates the potential of tandem solar cells,” Professor Catchpole said.
“They can make better use of certain parts of the solar spectrum–for example high energy blue photons. This will lead to more efficient and more cost effective solar cells and solar energy sources.”
She also highlighted that higher efficiency means each section of a solar panel is producing more power, “The coverage area of solar panels is the main contributor of the cost. So, if successfully commercialised, this technology could lead to a significant reduction in the cost of solar electricity, as well as lower energy bills.”
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The ANU team is now focusing on achieving an even higher efficiency, as well on further improving the stability of the new solar cells.
The team’s work on solar energy has been financially supported by ARENA through the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP).
To highlight the changes occurring within the power system, especially with the influx of rooftop solar PV, AEMO’s Draft 2020 ISP identifies that rooftop solar capacity is expected to double or even triple, providing up to 22 per cent of total energy by 2040.