Magic Alloy Set to Make Solar Power Cheaper

The University of Michigan researchers have developed concentrator photovoltaics, a new wave of solar cells and a semiconductor alloy. The alloy has the power of capturing the near infrared light that is positioned on the edge of the visible light spectrum.

The researchers claim that the new formulation is easier to manufacture, compatible with current gallium arsenide semiconductors and reduces costs by over 25%. Previous generation concentrator photovoltaics gather and focus sunlight onto high-efficiency solar cells made of gallium arsenide or germanium.

Concentrator photovoltaics can brook sunlight onto the high-efficiency solar cells made of germanium semiconductors. Rachel Goldman, professor of materials science and engineering, and physics, whose lab developed the alloy said: “The new generation panels are on track to achieve efficiency rates of over 50%, while conventional silicon solar cells max out at around 25%.” Flat-panel silicon is maxed out in terms of efficiency. The cost of silicon isn’t going down and efficiency isn’t going up. Concentrator photovoltaics could power the next generation.”

Goldman and her team suggested a novel approach observing numerous variables in the process. Her team blended the on-the-ground measurement methods inclusive of X-ray diffraction and the ion beam analysis.

The magic alloy founded was a creation featured with arsenic, gallium arsenide, nitrogen, bismuth, and a material used in solar panels, silicon, which formed a layer of chemicals a few microns thick that could spray onto photovoltaic cells to harness infrared energy.

Another great innovation involved the simplification of making semiconductors or the chemical compounds having the ability to convert light into electricity in the solar panels. Silicon is used as a semiconductor in solar panels, and solar panel makers add ‘design impurities’ or ‘dopants’ to figure out how a semiconductor functions. The dopants used for gallium arsenide semiconductors involve silicon and beryllium. Goldman’s team found out how to purge the beryllium by reducing the levels of arsenic in the mix of dopants in gallium arsenide.

It has been a tough road to travel for the researchers, as the alloy must be cheap enough, stable, durable and capable of absorbing infrared light. Goldman’s team came up with a new approach for keeping track of the many variables in the process. They combined measurement methods including X-ray diffraction and ion beam analysis with custom-built computer modelling.

For More:

https://solar-energy-in-pakistan.blogspot.com/2019/03/scientists-reveal-solar-panel-that.html

https://www.reonenergy.com/how-large-should-a-solar-solution-be/

https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5046752