Physicist Bram Hoex and colleagues at the Eindhoven University of Technology, together with the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, has developed a process that improves the energy produced by solar panels on 6% (in relative terms), a new world record in the effectiveness of solar cells.
By using an ultra thin layer of aluminum oxide on the front of the solar cell, Hoex could improve cell conversion of sunlight energy from 21.9 to 23.2%. The technology that broke the U.S. record was shown in a large convention of solar energy.
An improvement of more than 1% (in absolute terms) may at first glance appear modest, but it can enable solar cell manufacturers to enhance product development.
The ultra thin layer of aluminum oxide (about 30 nanometers) contains high levels of negative charges, preventing significant losses of energy that usually evaporates from the surface of cells during the day.
This is one of many technologies in development of global solar module industry. Several of the largest manufacturers of solar cells have already shown interest.
The advance of technology leads to the solar panels one step further in the battle for energy truly viable and effective sustainable. It is expected that at least 10 years of solar energy is so cheap to produce the same amount of fossil fuel, reducing emissions of pollutants and decrease the effects of global warming.
Apply ultra thin layers is a low cost, which means that manufacturers of solar cells can take their existing methods of production to include them. This is good news for consumers of solar energy systems in the future, especially in developing nations already struggling to meet energy demands of growing populations.
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