New way to make solar cells

According to Nature Materials on Feb. 14, US researchers have found a way to make plastic solar cells made of silicon fibers.

Illustration.

Especially, this battery uses only 1% of the material compared to conventional solar cells.

The researchers hope to create a lightweight, easy-to-install, low-cost solar cell.

The new material uses conventional silicon microns (1 microns, 1 / 1,000,000 meters) instead of rigid, heavy and fragile silicon sheets.

These yarns are encapsulated with flexible polymers that can be rolled or bent.

Solar cells, transforming solar energy into electricity, are gaining ground amid rising oil prices and concerns over climate change.