Are there other ways to generate solar energy?

New research suggests that there might be other ways to generate solar energy than just trying to make individual solar cells super-efficient. Scientists are always on the lookout for ways to make our world a better place, and one area they're focusing on is solar energy.

Could solar power be a revolution?

It could lead to lower-cost, more efficient systems for powering homes, cars, boats and drones. The solar energy world is ready for a revolution. Scientists are racing to develop a new type of solar cell using materials that can convert electricity more efficiently than today's panels.

What are some innovative technologies in solar power?

Another innovative technology in solar power is the Perovskite solar cell. They are a type of solar cell that uses a material called perovskite, a mineral with a unique crystal structure. The solar cells were also discovered in 1839 and named after Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski.

Why is solar energy so popular?

Solar energy has gained popularity over the years due to its many benefits. The development of solar cell technology could be said to have begun when French physicist Alexandre Edmond Becquerellar first demonstrated the photovoltaic effect in 1839. The photovoltaic effect is the ability of a solar cell to convert sunlight into electricity.

How do solar cells work?

Using a pioneering technique developed in Oxford, which stacks multiple light-absorbing layers into one solar cell, they have harnessed a wider range of the light spectrum, allowing more power to be generated from the same amount of sunlight.

Can solar cells convert sunlight into electricity?

His device wasn’t very efficient – it was only capable of turning a tiny amount of the sunshine it absorbed into electricity, about 1% to 2%. Today’s solar cells – which are typically silicon-based – can convert an average of around 22% of the sunshine they absorb into power.