Hello everyone! Today, I have some exciting news in the solar industry that I want to share with you. I hope that this topic will light up your interest as it did to mine!
Researchers tucked away at the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh have made a groundbreaking stride in the quest for more efficient solar cells. Their simulation of a dual-junction tandem solar cell might just be the next big thing in the making of solar panels for your home. But first, let’s demystify some terms.
Tandem solar cells are among the most promising advancements in the solar field. These marvels attain much higher efficiencies than conventional solar cells by effectively capturing light across various parts of the solar spectrum. They function by stacking layers of solar cells, each with a different bandgap – a property that determines which part of the light spectrum a semiconductor material can absorb most effectively.
The proposed design in this case involves an absorber made of cadmium telluride (CdTe) on top and another made of iron disilicide (FeSi2) at the bottom. Here’s why this matters: CdTe possesses a larger bandgap that adeptly taps into higher-energy photons, minimizing energy loss. However, it doesn’t really absorb the lower energy, near-infrared part of the spectrum that well. Hence, the incorporation of the bottom FeSi2 cell—known for its impressively smaller bandgap absorption suited for this scope of light.
In other words, this unique combination takes full advantage of the solar spectrum! The top CdTe cell efficiently transforms higher energy photons under the sun, while the FeSI2 cell caters to the near-infrared region. It’s like having the best of both worlds, making this one of the most efficient solar array for home.
From their simulation, the top CdTe cell could potentially achieve a power conversion efficiency of 26.13%, while the FeSi2 bottom cell could reach up to 35.25%. Combined, this tandem solar cell set-up could achieve a whopping efficiency of 43.91%! Just to put that into context – current solar panels hover around 15-20%, depending on the solar company and technology used.
If realized, this approach revolutionizes solar companies’ game and becomes a game-changer for those seriously considering solar panels for their home. Versatile, efficient, and potentially, price-competitive – all key considerations when choosing a solar company or contemplating a solar array for home.
This research suggests an extraordinary leap towards increasing solar energy conversion efficiency. I believe it’s a signal that the dreams of science fiction may soon become reality. Though there’s still more work to be done, it goes without saying that this is a giant leap towards revolutionizing the solar industry and the possibilities it holds in achieving even higher efficiencies for solar panels for your home.
Stay tuned for more inspiring updates, and remember, the future of solar is as bright as the sun itself!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/03/13/tandem-solar-cell-based-on-cadmium-telluride-iron-disilicide-promises-43-9-efficiency/