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Although many scientists regarded this as almost impossible, a team of researchers from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new anti-reflective coating which will allow solar panels to absorb light from the entire solar spectrum, and to capture almost all the amount of sunlight from almost any angle. This is a major breakthrough which could lead to high-efficient and cost-effective solar panels.
“To get maximum efficiency when converting solar power into electricity, you want a solar panel that can absorb nearly every single photon of light, regardless of the sun’s position in the sky. Our new antireflective coating makes this possible,” said Shawn-Yu Lin, leader of the project and professor of physics at Rensselaer.
According to the researchers, only 67.4 percent from the sunlight is absorbed by an untreated silicon solar cell, but a silicon solar cell treated with Lin’s nano-engineered anti-reflective coating will absorb 96.21 percent of the sunlight. The success of this new material consists of the fact that it absorbs the entire solar spectrum from nearly all angles.
Until now, the angle represented quite an obstacle as surfaces absorb light, transmit it, or allow it to pass. The angle is the key as the solar panels have to be perfectly aligned with the sun in order to perform at full potential. However, Lin’s new anti-reflective coating will absorb sunlight from nearly all angles with an efficiency of 96.21.
“At the beginning of the project, we asked ‘would it be possible to create a single antireflective structure that can work from all angles?’ Then we attacked the problem from a fundamental perspective, tested and fine-tuned our theory, and created a working device,” said Lin.
This new anti-reflective coating consists of seven layers positioned one on top of the other which makes the sunlight to bend, and in the same time to enhance the anti-reflective properties. The light that should be reflected is now captured thanks to these seven layers which measure 50 nanometers to 100 nanometers. These anti-reflective layers who perform like a forest which captures the light between the trees are made of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide nanorods.
Well, I know that I’m dreaming now, but I can’t stop thinking what a solar cell with 96.21 efficiency would represent. Currently, world’s most efficient solar cells have a 25% efficiency, and according to physicists, the first-gen of silicon solar cells could reach a maximum of 29% efficiency.
oO.. Nice, not even a week ago (seeing a blinding solar panel) I had the same idea
Very expensive fun I think?
great, where we can buy that coating now??
I am pretty sure the efficiencies they are talking about are for the actual light hitting the surface of the panel through the glass protective top (that protects the silicon). Not for the conversion of photons into electrical energy. So its saying common solar panels reflect 33% of the light that hits the glass, our new coating will only reflect 4%. So if a panel is 16% efficient with a normal coating then it will bump to 23%. Still a huge improvement if it is commercially viable but nowhere near 96% overall effeciency.
Nearly all light from nearly all angles…
I’ll take a gallon.
[...] New Anti-Reflective Coating To Help Solar Panels Absorb Near All Light From Near All Angles | Device…] Category : [...]
I think MattW has hit on the correct interpretation. transmitting all light is not the same issue as converting all light into energy. very few devices of any type come close to efficiencies of that level.
i think it is either a case of bad interpretation of a press release, or a misleading press release
still a very welcome development, but unrealistic to retrofit to existing installations
1. How strong the nano rods surface is? If it needs different layers for protection under open environment, then it’s misleading people.
2. What is the cost for add on the 7 thin film layers? Can you estimate? Are they need to be manufactured in vacuum chambers?
[...] a coating that will help the silicon cells absorb more of the light that shines upon them. The anti-reflective coating will help the cells collect 96.2% of the sun’s rays while cells without the coating are only [...]
a dumb question maybe … sorry (not expert). if the coating is able to absorb all photons, is there any photons left to generate electricity on the core surface of the solar panel that is responsible to generate electricity? to my understanding, photon is required to hit loose an electron so as to generate electricity as the electron moves from one place to another. so maybe, if one applied the coating, the overall conversion efficiency will drop to 0% instead. i need someone to verify this question.
I think they mean that the coating is able to “trap” the incoming light better than other panels that reflect almost like a mirror.
It makes sense to use every photon you receive on that surface, not reflect them back. I think the ideal solar panel would look pitch black to the human eye, because it would absorb all light and reflect none.
I think the layers they’re talking about are the actual layers that transform light into electricity. I believe they are transparent and non-reflective so that after hitting the surface, the light travels on to the next layer without being reflected back, therefore passing through all the layers, until it’s finally almost depleted of energy. It would make sense to place a mirror on the bottom, to make the remaining light bounce back and pass through the layers again.
At that point it’s all a matter of working on the efficiency of the system.
Great Ideal how can I buy some?
I have much better idea how to make the similar ( even better) GIAR coating without complex multilayer deposition. It’s very doable. Interested parties, please contact I.Levitsky:ilevitsky@emitechinc.com
Is it UL listed? Is it for sale?
Is it UL listed? I always make sure that all new inventions are UL listed too before I can approve them. Wouldn’t want to get a nasty shock from the coating. I hope the box it comes in is recyclable too.
When is it going to be ready for the market, how much does it cost and is it cost effective?
Ben Koshkin