An organic solar cell is a type of polymer solar cell which is notorious for its low efficiency of less than 5%, as compared to 20% of efficiency for standard silicon solar cell. Researchers at Princeton University, USA, have found a simple and economical way to tackle this problem by
nearly triple the efficiency of organic solar cells.
The researchers, led by electrical engineer Professor Stephen Chou, were able
to increase the efficiency of the solar cells 175% by using a
nanostructured "sandwich" of metal and plastic. This nanotechnology helps to overcome two primary challenges that cause
solar cells to lose energy: light reflecting from the cell, and the
inability to fully capture light that enters the cell.
The "sandwich" called a subwavelength plasmonic
cavity has an extraordinary ability to dampen reflection and trap
light. It allows 96% of light absorption in the material. It demonstrates 52% higher efficiency in converting
light to electrical energy than a conventional solar cell.
The structure achieves even higher
efficiency for light that strikes the solar cell at large angles, which
occurs on cloudy days or when the cell is not directly facing the sun. By
capturing these angled rays, the new structure boosts efficiency by an
additional 81%, leading to a 175% total increase.
Chou said the system is ready for commercial use although, as with
any new product, there will be a transition period in moving from the
lab to mass production.
For more info visit: http://www.princeton.edu/engineering/news/archive/?id=9141
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