New solar panel design could lead to wider use of renewable energy
Designing solar panels in checkerboard lines increases their ability to
absorb light by 125%, a new study says

Date:
October 8, 2020
Source:
University of York
Summary:
Researchers say the breakthrough could lead to the production of
thinner, lighter and more flexible solar panels that could be used
to power more homes and be used in a wider range of products.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Designing solar panels in checkerboard lines increases their ability to
absorb light by 125 per cent, a new study says.


========================================================================== Researchers say the breakthrough could lead to the production of thinner, lighter and more flexible solar panels that could be used to power more
homes and be used in a wider range of products.

The study -- led by researchers from the University of York and
conducted in partnership with NOVA University of Lisbon (CENIMAT-i3N)
-- investigated how different surface designs impacted on the absorption
of sunlight in solar cells, which put together form solar panels.

Scientists found that the checkerboard design improved diffraction,
which enhanced the probability of light being absorbed which is then
used to create electricity.

The renewable energy sector is constantly looking for new ways to boost
the light absorption of solar cells in lightweight materials that can
be used in products from roof tiles to boat sails and camping equipment.

Solar grade silicon -- used to create solar cells -- is very energy
intensive to produce, so creating slimmer cells and changing the surface
design would make them cheaper and more environmentally friendly.



==========================================================================
Dr Christian Schuster from the Department of Physics said: "We found
a simple trick for boosting the absorption of slim solar cells. Our investigations show that our idea actually rivals the absorption
enhancement of more sophisticated designs -- while also absorbing more
light deep in the plane and less light near the surface structure itself.

"Our design rule meets all relevant aspects of light-trapping for solar
cells, clearing the way for simple, practical, and yet outstanding
diffractive structures, with a potential impact beyond photonic
applications.

"This design offers potential to further integrate solar cells into
thinner, flexible materials and therefore create more opportunity
to use solar power in more products." The study suggests the design
principle could impact not only in the solar cell or LED sector but
also in applications such as acoustic noise shields, wind break panels, anti-skid surfaces, biosensing applications and atomic cooling.

Dr Schuster added: "In principle, we would deploy ten times more solar
power with the same amount of absorber material: ten times thinner solar
cells could enable a rapid expansion of photovoltaics, increase solar electricity production, and greatly reduce our carbon footprint.

"In fact, as refining the silicon raw material is such an energy-intensive process, ten times thinner silicon cells would not only reduce the need
for refineries but also cost less, hence empowering our transition to
a greener economy." Data from the Department for Business, Energy &
Industrial Strategy shows renewable energy -- including solar power --
made up 47% of the UK's electricity generation in the first three months
of 2020.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_York. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kezheng Li, Sirazul Haque, Augusto Martins, Elvira Fortunato,
Rodrigo
Martins, Manuel J. Mendes, Christian S. Schuster. Light trapping
in solar cells: simple design rules to maximize absorption. Optica,
2020; 7 (10): 1377 DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.394885 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201008121326.htm

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