Researchers from CU Boulder have created a low-cost solar cell with one of the highest power-conversion efficiencies to date, by layering cells and using a unique combination of elements. They took a perovskite solar cell, a crystal structure designed to harvest higher energy photons, and layered it on top of a silicon solar cell, which captures more photons in the infrared part of the spectrum (made up of radiant energy we can’t see, but can feel as heat). Combined, the perovskite raises a 21% silicon solar cell up to an efficiency of 27%–increasing it by a third. Current silicon-based cells only convert 18% to 21% of the sun’s energy into usable electricity on average. If you can raise the overall efficiency, you don’t have to install as many panels to get the same amount of power.
Story Source: University of Colorado at Boulder
www.colorado.edu/today/2020/03/05/layered-solar-cell-technology-boosts-efficiency-affordability