Making Solar Cells Absorb More Light

Technocrat

Making Solar Cells Absorb More Light

zogger

Sun Aug 17 16:10:00 -0700 2008

Science.

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University of Virginia researchers have made a possible good efficiency boost for solar cells by developing a laser etching process that could be used to help eliminate reflection. The laser makes what they are calling uniform "nanospikes" meaning a lot more of the available sunlight could be absorbed by the cell.

While increasing the ultimate efficiency of solar cells, this laser texturing process could also drive down manufacturing costs. Because lasers are already used in the manufacturing of solar cells, the texturing process can be automated, eliminating the need for dangerous chemical treatments currently used to reduce reflectance (without which the cells would reflect approximately 30 percent of light energy). ed.z.: Every little bit helps! As long as the patent licensing costs don't negate any manufacturing savings...

Versus "plants"

tqft

Sun Aug 17 17:04:36 -0700 2008
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http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a3pDtCb1WoxU&refer=home

"Australian and U.S. scientists said they have copied a process found in plants that uses sunlight to make hydrogen from water, potentially a cleaner and lower-cost method of making the gas for use in fuel cells.

By replicating aspects of photosynthesis, the breakthrough could ``revolutionize the renewable energy industry by making hydrogen, touted as the clean, green fuel of the future, cheaper and easier to produce on a commercial scale,''

Making Solar Cells Absorb More Light

Michael E. Lebo

Mon Aug 18 13:49:57 -0700 2008
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I have a small solar electric plant of four cells that has put 3.3 mega-Watt-hours back into the power grid. I know if I could cool the cells I could get 25% more power. Power plants use evaporated water for cooling. I would like to put something like a shag rug attached to the bottom of my pannels and feed it with a drip irragation system. The latent heat of evaporation will cool my pannels. Any ideas where I could get carpit that does not have a rubber insulator on its back?

Mike

Making Solar Cells Absorb More Light

zuzulo

Mon Aug 18 15:04:38 -0700 2008
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Instead of carpet, I would examine the mesh material used in evaporative coolers or 'swamp coolers' as they are commonly known. This material would last longer and is much less prone to microbial or fungal infestation than standard carpet material. Alternatively, an easily found solution is to use slats of aspen or cedar, which also absorb water and provide a good 'sheeting' substrate for continuous water flow. There are quite a few DIY guides to evaporative cooling around the net, as well. Hope that helps.