“Forgotten” material will make solar panels 3 times more efficient: how did it happen?

Researchers have found something worth replacing silicon by creating a “silver mirror” at its base.

According to New Atlas, scientists from the University of Rochester have succeeded in developing a new method to increase the efficiency of solar cell material.

Silicon is often used as the basis for solar panel development, as it is abundant in nature and has an excellent ability to convert sunlight into energy. However, the researchers decided to use a forgotten mineral – perovskite – a source of titanium, niobium and a number of other elements in the development of panels, which has not lost its relevance. It is very famous for its crystal structure.

If perovskite is used instead of silicon in solar panels, the energy efficiency is immediately tripled, as scientists from the University of Rochester have discovered. The researchers say that yes, perovskite is not as common as silicon, but it is cheaper and does better as a substrate for solar panels.

And the most interesting thing is that perovskite remains so effective without adding other components, that is, it can be used in its pure form. The researchers discovered that they could drastically reduce the recombination of electrons in perovskite by placing it on a substrate made up of silver or alternating layers of silver and alumina.

The team says this creates a kind of mirror that increases light conversion efficiency by 3.5 times and will improve this result.

Previously Focus He said solar panels in the United States would cover 6,000 miles: how much energy they could take.

Source: Focus

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