Complex computer simulations have been employed to develop a new design for significantly more efficient solar cells. To do that, the silicon solar cell can be provided with an organic layer, for example made from the semiconductor tetracene. Short-wave light is absorbed in this layer and converted into high-energy electronic excitations, so-called excitons. These excitons decay in the tetracene into two low-energy excitations. With these successfully transferred to the silicon solar cell, they can be efficiently converted into electricity, increasing the overall yield of usable energy.
https://nw.uni-paderborn.de/en/news-detail/paderborner-physiker-entwickeln-neue-solarzelle-2