After 40 years of research, science also discovered a serious error in solar cells

Inevitably, solar cells are technology that can save the Earth, when it can replace hazardous and dangerous energy plants. But solar cells need to be more efficient to bridge the present and future; We have taken the first step: scientists have solved the 40-year-old puzzle, about one of the biggest obstacles to unlock the potential of solar cells.

The new study shows errors in battery materials, particularly in silicon used in the manufacture of Solar batteries , an error that still exists and is now discovered. High probability, this is also the error that causes the solar cell to lose 2% of its performance in the first hour of use, which is so common that it has a unique name, which is Reduced by Light - Light Induced Degradation ( LID).

When each battery is LID, the amount of energy lost is extremely large.

The number of 2% is really small, but when each battery is LID, the amount of energy is extremely large. In fact, it is estimated that the amount of energy lost by LID is more than the total energy produced by 15 UK nuclear plants. The new discovery will help the global energy industry regain what it has lost.

' Due to both environmental and financial implications, the reduction in use of solar cells becomes a hot topic in technical science for the past four decades ,' said University researcher Tony Peaker. Manchester said.

' However, even though the industry's brightest brains are teaming up to find the answer, the problem is still very painful, but it only makes it difficult for us to this point. '

Four decades with 270 scientific reports failed to find the culprit making it difficult for the energy industry. The latest research has been successful thanks to a new electro-optical technique called deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) to find the weak point at the silicon used in solar cells. .

Solar farms are floating on water in China.

Analyzing by ecology, the scientists determined the cause: when the light was turned into electricity, the flow of electrons was blocked, thereby reducing the amount of energy that could be generated. This serious error does not exist outside until the entire battery heats up in the sun.

' We have proven that the error exists, now requires the repair ability of the engineering industry, ' said researcher Iain Crowe.

The process of perfecting the solar battery is still long, breakthroughs continue to occur throughout laboratories around the world. Currently, LID secrets have been resolved, solar energy collection systems worldwide will have big changes.

' A 2% reduction in performance is not much, but considering that solar panels are providing an enormous amount of energy to the total energy demand worldwide, a 2% drop is an extremely large number ', researcher Peaker insists.

The study is published in the Journal of Applied Physics.

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