Smartplanet.com has the story:
Princeton University recently announced a new nanotechnology that has demonstrated the ability to triple the efficiency of solar cells by eliminating two of the primary reasons why light is reflected or lost. This breakthrough was achieved by applying a “nano-mesh” to plastics, which would make way for inexpensive, flexible devices, or even greatly improve the efficiency of standard photovoltaic panels, the researchers say.
The nano-mesh is designed to dampen reflection and trap light to be converted into electrical energy (existing technologies cannot fully capture light that enters the cell). Only 4 percent of light is reflected, and as much as 96 percent is absorbed, a press release noted. Its overall efficiency in converting light to energy is 52 percent higher than conventional cells in direct sunlight and up to 175 percent greater on cloudy days with less sun.
For reference, North Carolina’s Semprius Inc., a Siemens-backed venture, revealed a prototype of what it called the world’s best solar efficiency at 33.9 percent earlier this year. Princeton didn’t reveal its overall efficiency.
The full Princeton announcement here.
