A team of international researchers, led by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—BarcelonaTech (UPC), has created an innovative solar device that solves two major energy challenges at once.
This hybrid device can both generate electricity and store heat energy, making it more efficient and sustainable than traditional solar panels.
Solar power is one of the best renewable energy sources, but it has some problems.
Solar panels only work when the sun is shining, and their efficiency drops when they get too hot.
Current energy storage solutions, like batteries, also depend on materials that are not always sustainable. Scientists have now developed a solution to these issues with a groundbreaking hybrid solar energy system.
How does this new device work?
The new technology combines a silicon solar cell with a special energy storage system called MOST (Molecular Solar Thermal Energy Storage).
MOST is made of organic molecules that absorb sunlight and store its energy through a chemical reaction. This stored energy can then be used later when needed.
At the same time, these molecules also help cool down the solar panel by blocking certain light waves that cause overheating. By reducing heat, the device prevents energy loss and improves the overall efficiency of the system.
The research team, led by Professor Kasper Moth-Poulsen, has reported some impressive results:
- Energy storage efficiency has reached a record 2.3%, making this the most efficient molecular thermal storage system so far.
- The hybrid device lowers the solar panel temperature by up to 8°C, reducing energy loss from heat.
- The total solar energy utilization efficiency is up to 14.9%, which is better than using photovoltaic panels and thermal storage separately.
This breakthrough in solar energy technology could have a big impact on the way we use renewable energy. By making solar power more efficient and reliable, it helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Unlike batteries, which rely on scarce and polluting materials, this new system provides a more sustainable way to store energy.
The study was published in the journal Joule in 2024. Scientists believe this technology could help improve solar energy systems worldwide and bring us closer to a cleaner, greener future.
Source: KSR.
