Quantum Dot Research can Result in Highly Efficient Solar Cells

A new research finding on quantum dots or semiconductor nanocrystals, headed by Xiaoyang Zhu of The University of Texas located at Austin has found that the efficiency of traditional solar cells can be increased from 30% to over 60%. The scientists have found a method for capturing high energy sunlight that is generally lost out as heat energy in traditional solar cells.

Today’s silicon solar cells have a maximum efficiency of about 31%. This is due to the fact that most of the energy from the sun striking a solar cell can be very high to be converted into usable electricity. This energy can often be lost in the form of “hot electrons”. If the “hot electrons”, or higher energy sunlight, can be harnessed, solar-to-electric energy conversion efficiency as high as 66% can be achieved.

Zhu indicates that there is still further more work required for creating the “ultimate solar cell”. He also adds that the rate of cooling hot electrons has to be decreased and that these hot electrons need to be harnessed swiftly before they lose their energy. For these purposes, quantum dots or semiconductor nanocrystals can be ideal.