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Dec 19, 2011

Scientists Create First Solar Cell With over 100 Percent Quantum Efficiency

Researchers over at the National Renewable Energy Lab have reportedly made the first solar cell with an external quantum efficiency over 100 percent. Quantum efficiency relates to the number of electrons-per-second flowing in a solar cell circuit, divided by the number of photons from the energy entering. The NREL team recorded an efficiency topping out at 114 percent, by creating the first working multiple exciton generation (MEG) cell. 

Using MEG, a single high energy photon can produce more than one electron-hole pair per absorbed photon. The extra efficiency comes from quantum dots 'harvesting' energy that would otherwise be lost as heat. The cell itself uses anti-reflection coating on a transparent conductor, layered with zinc oxide, lead selenide, and gold. NREL scientist Arthur J. Nozik predicted as far back as 2001 that MEG would do the job, but it's taken until now for the concept to leap over from theory. The hope is, of course, that this will lead to more competitively priced solar power, fueling thetransport of the future.
 
 

4 comments:

Outcast said...

That's excellent news for sure. Only good things can come from technological advancements, thanks for letting us all know about this as always.

Admin said...

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annoymouse said...

100 percent?? thats freakin amazing! the old cells were just about 10 percent or something, right?

Cameron said...

I hope I can get one on my laptop.