Slashdot Mirror
New Solar Cell Sets World Efficiency Record
asoduk writes to tell us that a new world record has been set for the most efficient photovoltaic device. Topping the scale at 40.8% efficiency, the new solar cell differs significantly from the previous record holder. "Instead of using a germanium wafer as the bottom junction of the device, the new design uses compositions of gallium indium phosphide and gallium indium arsenide to split the solar spectrum into three equal parts that are absorbed by each of the cell's three junctions for higher potential efficiencies. This is accomplished by growing the solar cell on a gallium arsenide wafer, flipping it over, then removing the wafer. The resulting device is extremely thin and light and represents a new class of solar cells with advantages in performance, design, operation and cost."
We'll have fusion by then. Electricity too cheap to meter ;-)
We will have solar energy as soon as the utility companies solve one technical problem -- how to run a sunbeam through a meter.
They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
Unless you grind them up and snort them you're probably safe.
No, that was 40.7%. Old and busted.
This is 40.8%. :p
Alternatively, you can use a Fresnel lens instead of a mirror.
Good, we can just hook the generator up to him! :)
The new cell produces enough electricity that if you covered a football field with them, it would be enough power to run an Olympic swimming pool full of hard drives. The additional electricity these cell provide compared to the previous record holder would allow you to copy several libraries-of-congress per second faster to your pool full of drives.
Hope this helps.
they get roughly 32 rods per hogshead. divide that by the current vegas odds of the LHC finding the higgs boson vs sucking the world into a micro black hole, and you'll realize that is one hell of a burrito for only $700b.
Wait a minute. What was this thread about again?
"Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte
Too bad there isn't a "-1 Incoherent" mod.
I don't see the problem. All we need to do is develop a cheap, efficient form of fusion to create the exotic elements we need so that we can produce these solar cells to provide a new source of cheap, efficient energy.