Researchers at the Barcelona East School of Engineering have made a significant breakthrough in solar energy storage technology. By combining a silicon solar cell with a unique storage system called MOST, they have shown that solar energy can be stored for up to 18 years. This technology, based on carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen molecules, offers an alternative to traditional lithium-based batteries and provides a cooling effect for the solar cell, improving efficiency.
Lead researcher Professor Kasper Moth-Poulsen is excited about the potential of this hybrid device to increase efficiency and add storage to photovoltaic systems. With a record energy storage efficiency of 2.3%, up from the usual 1.1%, the system shows promise for future applications. The researchers are now working on making the technology robust for long-term use and lowering production costs for commercialization.
This development is a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of solar energy storage, which is crucial for taking renewable energy to the next level. By finding a solution to the issues of sustainability and overheating that plague traditional batteries, this hybrid device could have a major impact on the renewable energy industry. With further development, the researchers hope to retrofit existing solar cell installations with this technology, further reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.
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