Solar Cells Could Become More Affordable
Solar energy might soon become cheaper thanks to a breakthrough by UNSW scientists. They have boosted solar cell efficiency which could reduce the price of an average installed solar system from $20,000 down to $15,000. Around 45 percent of the expense of solar cell technology lies in the high cost of silicon that is used to convert the sunlight to electricity.
Because of its stability and non-toxicity, silicon is the main choice of material in the electronics industry although it is a poor absorber of light. In an effort to reduce costs, scientists have reverted from using expensive silicon wafers to using cheaper, thin film cells that use less silicon.
However, there is one main disadvantage, the thin cells only convert 8 to 10 percent of the sunlight to energy as compared to around a 25 percent conversion rate for silicon. Scientists all over the world are testing ways to improve the efficiency of thin film technology and reduce costs.