http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/ Engadget Comments for Baby steps: new solar cell efficiency record isn't awe-inspiring http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 2:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Wonder what is new over at Hulu...]]>Jan 27th 2009 2:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 8:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 28th 2009 12:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 28th 2009 12:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/That's a fact that I just made up, but it's still 100% true.]]>Jan 27th 2009 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 2:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 3:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/You better hope that these brilliant researchers don't.

Just to put this into scale:
Internal combustion engines have energy efficiency ratios of 18-20%.
And they have been finessed for over 100 years.]]>Jan 27th 2009 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
We've been working for over a 100 years on that one...

41.1% sounds awesome to me.

But who cares if they cost $10,000/W. < $2/W PV is what we really need.]]>Jan 27th 2009 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
A gasoline engine by itself is far more efficient than 3%.]]>Jan 27th 2009 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
On an individual level, advances in low-cost cells are more interesting. I've been wondering about wireless sensors, for instance. How much improvement has there been in those 'calculator-size' solar cells? Can you build a device using one of those that stores enough energy to measure something once a minute and then connect to wi-fi to transmit it somewhere? Could it even work in relatively dim artificial light (as the calculator cells do)? Etc.]]>Jan 27th 2009 5:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 8:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Ryan
ASE Master Certified Auto Technician]]>Jan 27th 2009 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 9:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 2:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 2:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 2:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
http://www.emcore.com/solar_photovoltaics/space_solar_cells]]>Jan 27th 2009 3:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
You know... these are space grade custom-made cells and you can only buy them in bulk quantity. I actually asked emcore last year and the quote I got was $6k MINIMUM]]>Jan 27th 2009 4:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
yeah i know. im on the university of michigan solar car team and suffice to say we have a decent number of these.


but at least they are, in fact, mass produced!]]>Jan 27th 2009 5:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Nice! I worked on batteries for Momentum project in 03-05. Had to contact emcore last year for an another project with UM though. Anyway, go Blue!
]]>Jan 27th 2009 9:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Awesome! what are the odds of that?!

Go Blue!]]>Jan 28th 2009 2:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 3:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
then again. i think ANYTHING is better than a combustion engine...]]>Jan 27th 2009 3:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
in that sence, gas engines are way better.]]>Jan 27th 2009 3:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 4:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
]]>Jan 27th 2009 7:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
There are projects to bring cell that produce 1 watt x $1 - $2, so this sound more plausible for a average house.
]]>Jan 27th 2009 3:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 3:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Natural sunlight is composed of many different wavelengths of light and each wavelength interacts with materials differently. This has two implications for solar cell. The first is that many different materials (or forms of a material) must be layered in order to take full advantage of the energy in each wavelength of light. Secondly, each layer of material must allow a fair amount of light to reach the lower layers. These two problems in themselves are very challenging.

Unavoidable losses due to the transformation of light to electricity adds to the difficulty.


Knowledge courtesy of my solid state devices class. ]]>Jan 27th 2009 3:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
In the case of solar cells, its how much electrical energy is output for the amount of light that is input. You cant really increase the amount of light coming from the sun (other than aiming the cell at the correct angle, taking away obstructions, etc.).

Since you cant change the input that much, To get more power, you need to either increase the efficiency or increase the amount of light being used (i.e increase the active area of the cell).

Although this record is pretty good, it isnt much more than a showcase, like an athlete showing off what they can do. The real practical way to harness more energy right now is to increase area.

One note is that these cells are III-V materials, which are much more expensive and less widely produced than silicon, the king of the semiconductor industry, so dont count on seeing these cells in your toys anytime soon.]]>Jan 27th 2009 3:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 3:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 3:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 4:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 4:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Comparison with wind power.

http://www.gizmag.com/flodesign-high-efficiency-wind-turbine-based-on-jet-engine-technology/10556/
]]>Jan 27th 2009 5:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 4:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/square meter is a huge 700 watts. most cells that people use today
are ]]>Jan 27th 2009 4:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
ARE WHAT??? Get this man a new keyboard! STAT!]]>Jan 27th 2009 5:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 7:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/E.g. if I would say that i got a sollution, which can convert 40 % of some defined light source, than for me it does not necesserily mean it is 2 times better than sollution with 20 %. E.g. if the first sollution would be 10 times bigger, than for me it means that if i putt a square meter big sollar plate on my roof, i would have 5× less energy with the first sollution.
And the same with the price - if it would be 10times more expensive, than i would probably prefer the less efficient variant (depending on ROI).
So it is improvement only if the price and size is the same or better and this need to be declared to be able to decide if the new sollution is fine.
P.S.: comparing to standard engines is nonsense, as they are transfering something to energy - with sun you are "just" giving the energy some "reason" and not letting it just convert to heat (what will happen anyway, as energy cannot disapear). Bigger bottleneck may be in a way of storing the energy (batteries), as for many things you will need somewhat constant delivery even without sun.
There is even better way to get the energy - do not lose it - recuperantion - if the car is moving it has it's potential energy and if you will be able to store 40 % of it when decelerating, you could have "always on" car with just few sollar cells (for covering the rest 60 % and friction loss). The same with an energy of house - every man is like a 40 W source of heat, and every applicance is converting 100% energy in heat - create an effective heat-to-energy sollution and protect the heat loss and you will not need so effective solar cells.]]>Jan 27th 2009 6:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Still nice to see things moving along, regardless.]]>Jan 27th 2009 7:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/
Im sure if there was a comparison as to how much more power these actually produced compared to old ones it would be somewhat more significant.]]>Jan 27th 2009 7:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 7:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/01/26/hot-air-balloon-engine-by-solartran/]]>Jan 27th 2009 7:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 27th 2009 8:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/27/baby-steps-new-solar-cell-efficiency-record-isnt-awe-inspiring/Jan 28th 2009 12:55AM