Using this new technological breakthrough, the researchers predict that they can dramatically increase the amount of energy, which solar panels generate.
It can be achieved by harnessing some of energy wasted by currently used solar panels.
The findings were recently reported in the journal Nature Energy in a paper by Massachusetts Institute of Technology doctoral student David Bierman, professors Evelyn Wang and Marin Soljačić, and four others.
MIT Source:
http://news.mit.edu/2016/hot-new-solar-cell-0523
MIT Publication
http://www.mit.edu/~soljacic/STPV_nat-nano.pdf
Nature Energy Publication:
http://www.nature.com/articles/nenergy201668.pdf
This is so cool. Things are moving so fast in this area. I love the idea of eventually using nothing but renewable energy. Were making more efficient batteries, and gadgets with lower power consumption. Real progress.
Yes, it gives us so much hope!
Ray Kurzweil is predicting that solar will produce 100% of our energy needs within 12 years. Sounds outrageous but he's been right before.
http://fortune.com/2016/04/16/ray-kurzweil-solar-will-dominate-energy-within-12-years/
I think he is a bit too optimistic. I don't think is technically feasible with technology such as solar panels, but we certainly, already have capacity to cover all current and future world's energy needs with renewables, if we combine all geothermal, solar, tidal, wind and hydroelectric power together. We already have the means and know how.
The only thing, which is stopping uss from achieving this is a consolidation of power in fossil fuel industry. There is more profit in being ecologically unsustainable.
Solar could easily power the entire world's needs w/o other technologies, how is it not feasible? You think we'd run out of space to put panels??
Yes, the space is a major issue. There is limited amount space which is sunny enough and which is not used not used for crops, livestock grazing or as wildlife reserve. Some countries have more of such space than others. Some countries have none. Anyway, there is no reason to rely on only one renewable source, when we have so many options. Renawables should be chosen according to local environmetnal factors. In one area it is mroe efficient to build geothermal power plant, while in other solar based or wind based etc.
good vid and article. but it feels like a paradigm shift in harnessing solar power as it is focused on collecting heat rather than the light itself. Well they're experts I'm not. :D
:-)