Credit: David Shankbone
Photovoltaic energy systems are getting cheaper and more powerful. Materials researchers are racing to understand energy generation and transfer at the nano and atomic levels. They are also working with glass and film scientists to create systems that maximize the benefits of multiple materials. Here are some of the stories we have covered about photovoltaic materials:
Ferroelectric nanowires and other emerging electronic materials
Solid-state photovoltaics offer new path to solar energy
Video of solar panel hand production
Trough-focused PV/hot water system
Nocera’s simple solar-storage concepts
Caltech group demonstrates efficient 3D solar array
Penn group shows plasmons converting light to current
Cadmium oxide nanofibers show better performance in photovoltaic cells
Microphotovoltaics produce competitive results
Solarmer Energy breaks record with 7.9% efficiency
Georgia Tech group creates 3D photovoltaic system
Efficient solar from a carbon nanotube