A group of researchers from the United States succeeded in developing a new generation of solar cells. Compared to earlier, solar cells being developed can generate energy even at night. This finding is promising the presence of alternative renewable energy sources.
"The key is the ability to" harvest "the infrared radiation and visible light," said Steven Novack, researchers from the Idaho National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, as quoted from Upi, December 22, 2010.
Novack says, almost half of the available energy in the spectrum of solar radiation on the path infrared, and infrared re-emitted in the form of heat by the Earth's surface after sunset. "This means that solar cells can also catch a number of energy all night," he said.
Unit systems using this new generation of solar cells, Novack estimates, will have overall efficiencies of 46 percent. In comparison, silicon solar cells are the most efficient available today only achieve efficiency by 25 percent.
In addition, existing solar cells currently can only produce a maximum energy only if in certain circumstances. For example, if the Sun is in a position that is less fit, then the sun emitted into the silicon solar cell was actually reflected, not absorbed to be stored into energy reserves.
Novack claimed, a new generation of solar cells that are found capable of absorbing solar radiation from various angles, so as to produce more energy.
"The key is the ability to" harvest "the infrared radiation and visible light," said Steven Novack, researchers from the Idaho National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, as quoted from Upi, December 22, 2010.
Novack says, almost half of the available energy in the spectrum of solar radiation on the path infrared, and infrared re-emitted in the form of heat by the Earth's surface after sunset. "This means that solar cells can also catch a number of energy all night," he said.
Unit systems using this new generation of solar cells, Novack estimates, will have overall efficiencies of 46 percent. In comparison, silicon solar cells are the most efficient available today only achieve efficiency by 25 percent.
In addition, existing solar cells currently can only produce a maximum energy only if in certain circumstances. For example, if the Sun is in a position that is less fit, then the sun emitted into the silicon solar cell was actually reflected, not absorbed to be stored into energy reserves.
Novack claimed, a new generation of solar cells that are found capable of absorbing solar radiation from various angles, so as to produce more energy.