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Solar energy gets a boost with Quantum Dot-type PV Battery hitting new highs

A team of experts from the University of Tokyo and Sharp Corp. has just raised the bar when it comes to the efficiency of quantum dot type photovoltaic batteries. After extensive research and experimentation the team has achieved a state where they have observed efficiency of 18.7 percent for the batteries of this specific kind. The efficiency goes up to 19.4 percent with 2x light condensing, making the photovoltaic cells a lot more efficient than before.

Highest Efficiency Claimed for Quantum Dot-type PV Battery

This is the highest efficiency that has been recorded in quantum dot-type PV batteries till date and beats the previous mark of 18.3 percent achieved by another research group in Russia. The breakthrough has been achieved by what the team dubs as ‘intermediate band method, in which three dimensionally arranged quantum dots and a mini band between them absorb infrared light to up the efficiency.

The method also uses technique which stops the formation of energy levels, which are counter productive and hinder the movement of electrons and thus prevent the efficiency from going up. While the technology might not have any direct impact on the commercially produced photovoltaic panels starting immediately, further research along these lines could well lead us to the production of solar panels and quantum dot-type PV batteries that are far more efficient and hence capable of converting more solar energy into useful power.

The team will soon expand its research in the solar field to ensure that better results are obtained and one does hope that all this leads to a future where we can one day completely get rid of conventional sources of power.

Via: Nikkeibp

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