TU-e Researchers Use Nanotechnology to Develop High-Efficient Solar Cells

Solar cells that possess an efficiency of more than 65% will be developed by TU/e researchers by using nanotechnology. The new solar cells can help produce a significant amount of energy to meet Europe’s future electricity needs. In fact, the Dutch government  has assigned a total of 1.2 million Euros for this solar project.

The researchers, comprising Dr. Jos Haverkort, Dr. Erik Bakkers and Dr. Geert Verbong,  will conduct a study on nanowire solar cells. They believe that solar cells, combined with the mirror systems, can produce a substantial amount of power and can help meet the electricity needs of North Africa and Southern Europe.

Present types of solar cells are expensive and have an efficiency rate of about 40%. Moreover, the solar cells are primarily used on satellites. By utilizing the mirror systems, the solar cells can be installed on earth in an economical manner. The researchers expect that the nano-structured cells would achieve an efficiency of more than 65% in ten years and  believe that efficient solar cells can be built by using a combination of nanotechnology and concentrated sunlight via the mirror systems.