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New hybrid solar cell promises efficiency and sustainability with integrated storage for nighttime consumption
A group of European scientists has revealed a significant advancement in solar technology: an hybrid solar cell with built-in photochemical battery, capable of storing energy during the day and delivering it at night. This promising development will not only improves the efficiency of solar energy storage, as it also presents a sustainable solution, using widely available materials, without resorting to rare and expensive metals. This innovation was led by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, and Polytechnic University of Catalonia, in Barcelona (UPC), Spain, according to the Avalanche News website.
Sustainable and efficient technology
The new device has a overall efficiency of 14,9%, which is considered modest compared to some of the best solar cells on the market. However, technology has great potential for development and already provides environmental benefits by eliminating the need for rare earth metals, common in conventional solar systems.
Two critical problems were solved with this innovation. The first was reduce overheating of silicon solar cells, since high temperatures can reduce efficiency by up to 25%. The second was finding a way to store energy without using rare chemical elements, a challenge to make the technology affordable and scalable.
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How the hybrid solar cell works
The basic principle of the system involves a conventional silicon photocell, which serves as the base of the solar cell. However, the differential is in a transparent element positioned over this cell, responsible for microcirculation of a special liquid. This liquid has the ability to change its molecular structure when exposed to ultraviolet and visible light, allowing it to function as an energy storage medium.
This innovative system was named molecular solar thermal storage (MOST) device by scientists. Solar energy is stored in changes in the liquid's molecular bonds. To release the energy, the system restores the molecular bonds to their original form. According to the researchers, the liquid can be reused up to 1000 times, which is equivalent to approximately three months of continuous operation.
Benefits of cooling and increased efficiency
In addition to storing energy, the liquid also plays an important role in silicon photocell cooling. In direct heating conditions up to 39°C, the liquid managed to reduce the cell temperature by 8°C, which resulted in an increase of 0,2% in efficiency, raising it to 12,6%. This small increase contributes to the overall efficiency of the hybrid system, which achieved 14,9%.
Although this efficiency is still below commercial standards for large solar systems, scientists believe that there is room for improvement in each of the components, which could increase performance to commercially viable levels in the future. This means that the device may offer efficiency, durability and lower cost advantages over time.
