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Black Silicon Solar Cell Hits 18.2% Efficiency, Should Help to Reduce Costs

CleanTechnica -- Black-silicon solar cells with 18.2% efficiency have been created by researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). These don’t need extra anti-reflection layers (like typical solar cells do), which should help to significantly lower the cost of solar energy.
The specially designed nanostructured surface ensures that the light-generated electricity is still collectable in an efficient way from the solar cell, while still conferring the inherent advantages of a ‘black silicon‘ material.

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Submitted Oct 14, 2012 By: BennoBlue

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rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,442 Points:2,229,905 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 16, 2012 12:48:31 AM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse Cellsite - "ummm... rjhenn, the efficiency of gasoline powered cars is more like 25 to 30% and diesel vehicles can hit 40% or more." Seems to depend on what sources you're using. Which is odd for something that should be well-established. In any event, 18.2% of an essentially free energy source is better than 40% of something that costs $4 a gallon.
Cellsite Champion Author Appleton Posts:1,231 Points:287,135 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2012 6:30:19 PM Ignore Cellsite Report Abuse ummm... rjhenn, the efficiency of gasoline powered cars is more like 25 to 30% and diesel vehicles can hit 40% or more.
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,758 Points:591,745 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2012 5:08:41 PM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Alrighty then
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,014 Points:2,345,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2012 2:46:16 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Black Silicon Solar Cell Hits 18.2% Efficiency, Should Help to Reduce Costs? Need Higher Solar Cell efficiency, Less manufacturing cost, More renewable energy from: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Thermal, Tidal and/or Nuclear. Caputure the heat inside a solar panel and use it to produce electricity. Make sure the local electrical utility will buy any extra power produced at the going electrical rate. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,442 Points:2,229,905 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 15, 2012 12:06:40 AM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse As has been pointed out, 18.2% efficiency doesn't seem like much, until you realize that internal combustion engines have an efficiency of only 18%-20%. And you don't have to buy gas for solar cells.
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,220 Points:872,375 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 11:33:42 PM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse Keep improving the effectiveness and make it affordable.
Eugenian Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,862 Points:362,130 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 11:33:31 PM Ignore Eugenian Report Abuse It's good to see more good news on the energy front. (Bad news for you oil profiteers. Boo hoo.)
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,797 Points:413,555 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 11:14:41 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Okay, @libertyut, what dollar amount would you have accepted as money well spent? I have a feeling the answer is zero. Meanwhile, the Pentagon just bought some more Hellfire missiles.
paulydel Champion Author Delaware Posts:8,789 Points:847,900 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 11:10:38 PM Ignore paulydel Report Abuse Just like electronics upgrades are changing the way things work more effeciently.
libertyut Champion Author Utah Posts:1,350 Points:291,625 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 11:05:52 PM Ignore libertyut Report Abuse And how much did it cost the American Tax payer to get to this point.
HEMI4x4OH Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:5,389 Points:608,550 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 11:02:12 PM Ignore HEMI4x4OH Report Abuse OK!
carlsonguitars Champion Author Portland Posts:4,876 Points:825,980 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 11:00:51 PM Ignore carlsonguitars Report Abuse It's all greek to me... I like TXKRB's post below... Totally misinformed... My parents have solar panels on their house, they generate enough electricity to run a washing machine, dryer, tv, AC, lights, and dishwasher all at the same time - AND STILL SELL POWER BACK TO THE GRID!!! It was installed a year ago, and they collect roughly a $500 check every month from the power company. Ya Bettah Ax Somebuddy!!!!!!! FO SHO!
txkrb Champion Author Texas Posts:1,560 Points:638,705 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:54:45 PM Ignore txkrb Report Abuse Sounds like a advancement in solar technology but they do not state what the efficiency rating on standard solar cells is and aviator you cannot get enough solar cells on your roof with current technology to produce enough electricity to power your house with a/c running it can power many appliances but not a/c and many champion authors still say ok
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:7,922 Points:1,574,980 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:52:40 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse very low efficiency
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:50:29 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse ok
furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:16,855 Points:2,749,180 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:49:51 PM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse at least 50 % would be nice
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,066 Points:1,731,235 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:49:09 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse maybe nobama can stick 500 million in this
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,896 Points:2,132,355 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:46:04 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse OK
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,797 Points:413,555 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:45:40 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Solar is not meant to replace your local utility, @NemoIL. You would still need them at night and on cloudy days but when the sun is shining, you would produce enough power that you would spin your electric meter backwards. At the end of the month, your meter will have hardly budged from the number it started from at the beginning of the month.
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,074 Points:1,448,325 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:45:25 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse That's great! Keep this progress going.
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:8,244 Points:1,685,200 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:43:46 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse ok
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,797 Points:413,555 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:41:43 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse How big is your home's roof, @clermont40miles? The average home can produce almost five kilowatts of power using photovoltaic modules on the roof. That's enough power that you would actually sell electricity back to your utility.
BizBombe Rookie Author Baltimore Posts:90 Points:190,750 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:40:13 PM Ignore BizBombe Report Abuse k
GordoM Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,004 Points:993,890 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:40:11 PM Ignore GordoM Report Abuse I hope I live long enough to see this idea actually working.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,797 Points:413,555 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:39:13 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse @chuckhermann is right, that really is a great advance in the technology. Anything that reduces the cost of solar cells will make them more cost effective and then you will see these newer cells everywhere. And 18.2% may not seem very efficient but that will only get better in the future. Understand that the internal combustion engine is only 20% efficient. The other 80% of fuel is wasted as engine and exhaust heat. Now, with that being said, look at how many cars are on the road. Solar really is the future and the future is coming fast.
72_Monte Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:7,770 Points:1,996,460 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:37:29 PM Ignore 72_Monte Report Abuse Baby steps...
chuckhermann All-Star Author New York Posts:962 Points:499,200 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:30:23 PM Ignore chuckhermann Report Abuse Great advance in technology.
saleboss Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,929 Points:1,177,875 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:29:48 PM Ignore saleboss Report Abuse Sorry but 18.2% doesn't sound very efficient to me!
anthroMO Veteran Author St. Louis Posts:395 Points:116,540 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:29:08 PM Ignore anthroMO Report Abuse not sure for a car but a house might be ok
cwashi3324 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,802 Points:573,290 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:28:21 PM Ignore cwashi3324 Report Abuse OK
WIPACKERFAN Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,804 Points:1,843,450 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:27:07 PM Ignore WIPACKERFAN Report Abuse 18.2!!! This is very inefficient.
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,475 Points:811,635 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:26:37 PM Ignore drobbbb Report Abuse ok
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,067 Points:800,585 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:26:18 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Ok
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,145 Points:1,883,670 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:25:58 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse great
Rajah Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,565 Points:2,306,565 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:23:35 PM Ignore Rajah Report Abuse They keep getting better and better. Now they need to keep getting cheaper and cheaper.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,800 Points:818,335 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:22:04 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Interesting article...
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,227 Points:818,545 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:21:39 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse if it was 80.2% then we're talking!
billduhkid Rookie Author Las Vegas Posts:33 Points:189,640 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:21:33 PM Ignore billduhkid Report Abuse Would be great if some solar technology worked.
goodbuy Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,668 Points:1,422,580 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:18:33 PM Ignore goodbuy Report Abuse 18.2% does not sound very good.
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,569 Points:1,771,920 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:18:14 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Where do you buy them and how much area does it take to power a 100 amp service to a house? Practicality and affordability are key. PV's are too expensive and take too much area for the power produced. And life expectancies are not very good. Keep trying.
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,782 Points:644,585 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:11:39 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse The more efficiency there is the better.
netman044 Champion Author Texas Posts:6,848 Points:1,289,025 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:09:31 PM Ignore netman044 Report Abuse Government subsidies?
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,380 Points:1,895,185 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:06:41 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse OK but how much do they really ocst??
humancry Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,618 Points:1,002,455 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:04:35 PM Ignore humancry Report Abuse Lets hope
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,564 Points:1,512,130 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:03:59 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse ok
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,028 Points:1,487,855 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:00:56 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Standing in the sunshine on a hot day, you can tell that is a lot of energy hitting you. Eighteen percent of that adds up quickly.
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,394 Points:1,354,895 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 10:00:03 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse 18.2% doesn't sound so good but when you realize that means free electricity it's great.
mlmeng Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,635 Points:591,060 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 9:58:58 PM Ignore mlmeng Report Abuse Keep developing until it is ready for market. Don't let the government push it through too early.
BluWahoo Champion Author Pensacola Posts:3,113 Points:379,690 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 9:58:40 PM Ignore BluWahoo Report Abuse something for the future...let's stay in the present
rjhenn Champion Author Des Moines Posts:22,442 Points:2,229,905 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 14, 2012 9:55:38 PM Ignore rjhenn Report Abuse 18.2% efficiency for essentially free electricity is much better than the 0% that you're getting now.