New solar technology cut costs by 75%

A new solar technology developed in the US could cut solar costs by as much as 75%. Scientists at the Research Triangle Park (RTI) say they can make solar energy […]

A new solar technology developed in the US could cut solar costs by as much as 75%.

Scientists at the Research Triangle Park (RTI) say they can make solar energy more affordable and help “speed-up” the market.

The solar cells are made from particles called colloidal quantum dots, which are inorganic semiconductors that capture light and convert it into energy, with more than 5% of power conversion efficiency.

They are only a few nanometres in size so RTI cells use less material compared to traditional solar cells making them cheaper to produce.

Ethan Klem, Co-Principal Investigator of the project at RTI said: “Solar energy currently represents less than 1% of the global energy supply and substantial reductions in material and production costs of photovoltaics are necessary to increase the use of solar power. This technology addresses each of the major cost drivers of photovoltaics and could go a long way in helping achieve that goal.”

Latest Podcast