Scientists at Oxford University have developed a revolutionary approach which could generate solar generated electricity without the need for solar panels.
The new approach involves coating a new power-generating material onto the surfaces of everyday objects. In fact, almost anything. “If more solar energy can be generated in this way, we can foresee less need in the longer term to use silicon panels or build more and more solar farms,” Dr Junke Wang, at Oxford’s physics department, said.
The scientists have developed an ultra-thin material capable of being stuck to any everyday object to harness the power of the sun. The material can be applied as a coating and is far smaller than current solar panels as well as being more energy efficient, meaning it can convert more of the sun’s energy.
The versatility of the new ultra-thin and flexible material is also key. At just over one micron thick, it is almost 150 times thinner than a silicon wafer.
Oxford University’s Dr Shuaifeng Hu said that after just five years experimenting the team have raised power conversion efficiency from about 6 percent to over 27 percent, close to “the limits of what single-layer voltaics can achieve today.” Although most currently generate much less.
The team believe this could be extended to up to 45 percent efficiency.