Researchers from MIT and Princeton have devised a method of adding several percentage points to the maximum output of a silicon solar cell beyond the current 29.1% limit to a potential 35%. They used a method that creates two electrons from each photon rather than the conventional one. The researchers say their new approach could be useful for making more efficient photovoltaic cells with higher efficiencies in future applications. If we can establish better control over this phenomenon, efficiencies may climb even higher.” The key to the development is an intermediate layer in the cell made from hafnium oxynitride. The researchers said more development work was needed.
Researchers from MIT and Princeton have devised a method of adding several percentage points to the maximum output of a silicon solar cell beyond the current 29.1% limit to a potential 35%. They used a method that creates two electrons from each photon rather than the conventional one. The researchers say their new approach could be useful for making more efficient photovoltaic cells with higher efficiencies in future applications. The key to the development is an intermediate layer in the cell made from hafnium oxynitride. The researchers said more development work was needed.