Solar power
The latest chemistry news and research on solar power, including perovskite solar cells, dye-sensitised solar cells and solar fuels, from the Royal Society of Chemistry's magazine, Chemistry World
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OpinionSolar cell progress hinges on more than just materials
Solvents are a critical factor in the quest for more sustainable energy
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FeatureKesterite solar cells break efficiency ceiling after decade-long stall
Once-promising kesterite solar technology has finally broken through its efficiency ceiling, jumping from a decade-long stall at 12.6% to nearly 17% in just three years – putting commercial viability within reach.
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Research30-year-old solar panels still going strong
Reliabilities of modules manufactured in the late 1980s and early 1990s provide design lessons for modern photovoltaics
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ResearchReprocess, reuse, repeat: greener recycling of perovskite solar cells cuts costs
Mainly water-based approach is also cheaper than using new starting materials
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ResearchChallenges for solar fuel devices brought into sharp focus after downpour degrades artificial tree
Storm wreaks havoc for UK team during outdoor final of European Innovation Council’s ‘Fuel from the sun’ competition in Italy
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ResearchAI aids discovery of solar cell materials with near-record efficiency
Machine learning uncovers hidden relationships in materials design
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ResearchAll-inorganic perovskite solar cells excel with stabilising ligand
The addition of a hydrazide facilitates film formation and fosters stability of tandem solar cells
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ResearchPhotoswitch brings energy storage and a cool efficiency boost to photovoltaics
Energy harvesting molecules can halt heating that hits solar cells’ efficiency while storing energy
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ResearchFirst entirely roll-to-roll system points way to cheap printed perovskite solar cells
New ink formulations facilitate printing of perovskite solar cells, catalysing cost-effective commercial applications
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ResearchAI flies solo to optimise an organic photovoltaic device
High-throughput workflow guided by artificial intelligence identifies parameters to maximise power conversion efficiency
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NewsLarge-scale hydrogen storage must be kick-started now to reach net zero
Royal Society calls for action to solve problem of intermittent renewables with huge expansion in energy storage
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ResearchPerovskite studies fall foul of ‘unconsciously inappropriate’ XPS analysis
Beware of misinterpreted chemical shifts and misquoted references
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ResearchFluorinated ligands stabilise perovskite solar cells
Findings offer new insight into how coatings interact with perovskites
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ResearchSilicon and perovskite work perfectly in tandem to produce 30%+ efficient solar cells
Combination of materials allows higher energy photons to be captured to beat silicon’s limit
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ResearchFlexible silicon solar cells could be rolled out on tricky to cover buildings
Bendy silicon cells should be cheaper than thin-film alternative
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FeatureThe Sun rises on perovskites
With the first solar cells scheduled for commercial sale this year, Tim Wogan looks at the long, hard road to producing stable perovskite photovoltaics
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BusinessChemicals industry roundup 2022
Russia’s invation of Ukraine mounted further pressure onto already strained supply chains
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ResearchArtificial leaf floating on the river Cam synthesised hydrogen and syngas
‘All-in-one’ photoelectrochemical devices generate sustainable fuels on water, reducing both cost and land use
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ResearchCarbon dioxide electrolysers ready for fluctuating power from wind and solar
First CO2-to-fuel device that can deal with the intermittent currents coming from renewable energy sources
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ResearchPhotosynthesis used to power a microprocessor for over six months
System represents a breakthrough in the real-life applicability of biophotovoltaic devices