Low-cost, high-efficiency solar cells developed

New research into solar technology could make solar energy far more affordable, speeding up its market adoption. Researchers at RTI International have developed solar cells formed from solutions of semiconductor particles, known as colloidal quantum dots, which can have a power conversion efficiency that is equivalent to traditional cells at a much lower cost.

The cells were created using low-cost materials and processing techniques that reduce the primary costs of photovoltaic production, including materials, capital infrastructure and energy associated with manufacturing.

The cells can be produced for less than $20 a square metre, which is up to 75% less than traditional solar cells.

“Solar energy currently represents less than 1% of the global energy supply, and substantial reductions in material and production costs of photovoltaics are necessary to increase the use of solar power,” said Ethan Klem, a research scientist at RTI and co-principal investigator of the project. “This technology addresses each of the major cost drivers of photovoltaics and could go a long way in helping achieve that goal.”

The cells have been demonstrated to provide a power conversion efficiency of more than 5%, which is comparable to other emerging photovoltaic technologies.

The cells are composed of lightweight, flexible layers that have the potential to be manufactured using high-volume roll-to-roll processing and inexpensive coating processes, which reduces capital costs and increases production. RTI’s cells can be processed at room temperature, unlike traditional solar cells, further reducing input energy requirements and cost.

The technology has been featured in a paper published in Applied Physics Letters.