A recent
study
Published in the Advanced Electronic Materials journal, significant progress has been made in exploring the underutilized potential of various materials.
potential
of
solar panels
.
Led by Associate Professor Yang Bai from the University of Oulu, Finland, the team focused on ferroelectric materials and the bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE) as the origin of the electrical output, instead of
semiconductors
— the traditional
technology
used in solar cells.
Manipulating
Cells utilizing BPVE technology can enhance their electrical output by 35% when exposed to an appropriately applied electric field.
As stated by SolarQuarter, the BPVE effect “could exceed the efficiency boundaries of conventional semiconductor-based solar cells.”
Conventional
solar panels
rely
At specific “junctions” created inside the semiconductor cells, sunlight gets transformed into electrical power. However, these junctions considerably restrict the effectiveness of this transformation process.
BPVE-based cells, conversely,
generate
Their own “self-junction”: a process that can boost the electrical yield from each cell. The BPVE tech alone delivers modest energy outputs, according to SolarQuarter—but Bai’s group discovered that incorporating a polarized electric field significantly enhances its performance, rendering BPVE-powered cells much more efficient.
practical
.
The scientific foundation of BPVE was initially developed in the 1960s and 1970s.
wrote
Interesting Engineering notes that “its real-world applications have been slow to develop.” Bai’s study is the pioneering work that has identified how to utilize BPVE for successful manipulation.
ferroelectric
gemstones to boost output power and efficiency.
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The results could potentially influence the development of upcoming photonics, computational systems, sensors, and energy extraction technologies,
reported
Lexie Corner of AZoMaterials.
Bai plans to proceed gradually with his team’s discovery, beginning with miniature devices to assess the capabilities of BPVE technology. However, further study and testing could lead to significant transformations in the realm of solar cells before long.
Should scientists and engineers create BPVE-based solar cells based on Bai’s findings, yearly energy savings for solar panel owners might see a dramatic increase. Even conventional solar panels currently
save
Users can save up to $1,500 on utility costs and an additional $4,600 due to tax advantages, on average. By utilizing BPVE-based cells that offer higher electrical output through advanced efficiency, individuals could potentially reduce their utility expenses further—while simultaneously decreasing their environmental impact.
carbon outputs
and helping combat
the changing climate
.
The enhanced savings potential offered by BPVE cell technology might encourage more people to adopt it.
go solar
As fighting against the shifting climate demands joint action, the more we choose to adopt
renewable-energy
The preference for alternatives to power sources that use dirty fuel is even more desirable.
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Researchers make remarkable breakthrough on next-gen energy source: ‘Has the potential to surpass the efficiency limits’
first appeared on
The Cool Down
.