Energy
Unprecedented! New solar panel generates energy DAY AND NIGHT with built-in photochemical battery
A group of European scientists has revealed a significant advance in solar technology: a hybrid solar cell with a built-in photochemical battery, capable of storing energy during the day and delivering it at night.
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This promising development not only improves the efficiency of solar energy storage, but also presents a sustainable solution using widely available materials without resorting to rare and expensive metals. This innovation was led by researchers from the Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, in Barcelona (UPC), Spain, according to the Avalanche Notícias website.
The new device has an overall efficiency of 14.9%, which is considered modest compared to some of the best solar cells on the market. However, the technology has great potential for development and already provides environmental benefits by eliminating the need for rare metals, common in conventional solar systems.
Two critical problems were solved with this innovation. The first was to reduce the overheating of silicon solar cells, since high temperatures can reduce efficiency by up to 25%. The second was finding a way to store energy without using rare chemical elements, a challenge to make the technology accessible and scalable.
The basic principle of the system involves a conventional silicon photocell, which serves as the base of the solar cell. However, the difference lies in a transparent element positioned on this cell, responsible for the microcirculation of a special liquid. This liquid has the ability to change its molecular structure when exposed to ultraviolet and visible light, allowing it to function as an energy storage medium.