The materials used in the new cell are copper, zinc, tin, selenium, and sulfur - the latter two "earth-abundant" materials being in a chalcogenide compound, key to the photovoltaic properties of the cell.
Posted on 02/16/2010 9:20:09 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
IBM researchers have developed a new class of solar-powered electricity-generating cells that they claim will bring photovoltaic cells closer to cost parity with conventional energy sources.
The researchers from IBM's T. J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, New York have published their findings in a paper entitled "High-Efficiency Solar Cell with Earth-Abundant Liquid-Processed Absorber," available here (PDF).
The materials used in the new cell are copper, zinc, tin, selenium, and sulfur - the latter two "earth-abundant" materials being in a chalcogenide compound, key to the photovoltaic properties of the cell.
The use of these materials bypasses problems inherent in the more-common components of solar cells. The heavy metal cadmium, for example, has toxicity complications, and indium and tellurium (also a chalcogen) are rare and therefore unable to support, as the paper says, more than "a small fraction of our growing energy needs, which are expected to double to 27TW by 2050."
(Excerpt) Read more at theregister.co.uk ...
This sounds great. Was this done as part of the stimulus package? No? Well, Barry will take credit anyway. Hell, if Biden can go out there and claim that Iraq is one of their administration’s biggest accomplishments, why not?
Cool, I like the idea of cheap solar cells that are relatively non-toxic.
Solar technology is making huge leaps forward, which goes to prove that when entrepreneurs are free to develop a product, true innovation occurs — all without any government “help”.
The “Cheap Solar Cells on the Horizon” story seems to show up every year or two. And then... crickets.
I assume you are kidding. Solar power is heavily subsidized.
So, two breakthroughs? Thanks Ernest.
My husband’s electrical contracting business is getting into solar. The advancements really are numerous: a thin film that replaces the large solar panels, PAINT that contains tiny solar energy cells, material that is so sensitive it can collect energy from moonlight. Power companies and the government are offering incentives, but I see that as something that will increase the profile of solar energy in the average community, which will lead to a higher demand and lower costs.
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