Solar Cell and Capacitor in One

Roland Piquepaille writes "Solar cells can convert solar energy to electricity, but that's about all they can do. You need batteries to store, and then release, this electricity. But this extra-step might soon no longer be necessary. According to PhysicsWeb, Japanese scientists have developed a new type of solar cell which integrates an electricity storage device. No more batteries or recharger! The 'photocapacitor,' as they call this new device, is also twice more efficient than a typical silicon-based solar cell when used on cloudy days. So apparently, you'll soon be able to travel lighter by leaving your various rechargers for your many handheld devices at home. Read more for other details and references."

Comments

Burst uses

[wowbagger]

I can see this being really nice for "bursty" loads, like highway emergency lights, SCADA monitoring systems for pipelines, and anything where the demand is in short bursts for high current - you could eliminate quite a bit of extra stuff.

However, I wonder what the hold-up time and leakage currents look like - if this thing charges, then is deprived of light for a while, does the charge leak off? One of the problems with standard solar cells is that you have to disconnect them from the battery when the light levels drop, or they will discharge the battery - if this design avoids that it will really reduce the complexity of charging circuits.

Missing from the article.

[murderlegendre]

So.. exactly how much will these cost per watt, vs. conventional photovoltaic cells?

Details, details..