Research into plasmonics, a type of nanotechnology, promises to improve the efficiency of solar cells:
metallic nanostructures absorb and intensify light at wavelengths due to the incoming light, creating “plasmonics,” a collective oscillation of the electrons at the metal’s surface … According to the researchers, metallic nanostructures in solar cells can boost the absorption of light into the cell’s photoactive material.
Improved efficiency for solar cells makes solar power more cost competitive with older, dirtier sources of power, such as oil and coal.
With enhanced light absorption, it is possible to produce cells with less base material, thus yielding thinner and cheaper cells. Metal nanostructures can improve the absorption in various types of cells, including crystalline-silicon cells, those employing high-performance semiconductors, and organic and dye-sensitized solar cells.
While Western nations drag their feet in developing solar powered transportation options, Chinese companies move aggressively into this new market. The Post notes that Chinese battery maker BYD has Signed Its First Agreement for Solar Energy Batteries:
Following the first-phase solar energy battery project with annual capacity of 100MW entering into equipment debugging in phase sense on 12 December, 2009, BYD earlier successfully signed an agreement with its first customer SPI for its solar batteries.
A significant market for these types of batteries will continue to drive down the cost and also lead to improvements in storage capacities and power to weight ratios. Will these Chinese companies leap past the dirty legacy of oil-powered transportation while establishing an insurmountable lead over Western firms?
How Do Batteries Work? Technical Details and Applications
Rechargeable batteries, used for solar-powered transportation, “are [also] fundamental to battery-backup and off-grid home solar arrays.” So, improvements in solar batteries for transportation may also lead to improvements in residential and commercial solar energy storage.
Electricity, gas and fossil fuels have always been a mainstay of operating a house, but … the use of solar cells or solar powered batteries is becoming a common sight in many new homes.
TOLEDO, Ohio — A bridge equipped with solar panels will demonstrate if the technology can deliver energy savings on other highway projects, transportation officials said.
“It will define our region as a solar center for innovation,” said U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, a Democrat from Toledo. Not only will the panels support local jobs and research, it will reduce the bridge’s lighting costs for decades to come, she said.
Solar power is already cost competitive compared to standard grid power, especially if the project would require expensive transmission lines.
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