Quantum Dots Could Increase Solar Panel Electricity Output

New research undertaken in the USA into the tiny light absorbing particles in solar cells – called quantum dots - may have uncovered ways to multiply the energy output of individual electrons, increasing the efficiency of the solar panels and resulting in more electricity from the same amount of absorbed light.

Results published by Mark Lusk and colleagues at the Colorado School of Mines in the April edition of "ACS Nano"” supports the theory of multiple-exciton generation (MEG), which states that an “excitons” – electrons which have absorbed light energy – can then spread that energy to other electrons.

Lusk and his team found that tailoring the size of quantum dots improves the MEG process. Each dot best-suits a region of the solar spectrum, with smaller quantum dots performing MEG better within their region than larger ones. Solar panels manufactured using quantum dots tuned in to the correct slice of the solar spectrum would be much more efficient than those not made with quantum dots.

Source: Renewable Energy News :