find a way to capture this energy efficiently and transform it into electricity. Recently, a new material called perovskite saw the light of day and in a few years, began to compete with the efficiency of traditional solar cells, which currently tops out at about 20 percent.
This is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity and that this higher meet our energy needs. More than 80 percent of photovoltaics today are made of crystalline silicon, but the high cost of production and installation means that we need alternatives.
Perovskite is a mineral found in the mantle of the Earth, named after the Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski. Since 2009, it has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide, including Oxford University and the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
"In a very short time, perovskite began producing very high efficiencies and not" perovskite fever "happening," says Michael Grätzel, Director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces at EPFL. "Today, efficiency peaked at 18 percent, but it should be even more important in the future."
Graetzel discovered how perovskite works and contributes to the development of new solar cells, as well as possible to add to the already existing means ". Perovskite You can put on top of traditional silicon cells to be more effective," said "It 'is not an expensive process and can be an interesting application to incorporate solar panels. "
Stability tests are still needed for this magical material is sensitive to water and high temperatures, "All this is being examined now, I'm optimistic that this can be addressed, this is an exciting time ..".
Perovskites solar cells can be one to watch, but finding the way to more efficient, affordable and usable solar energy is a different battlefield.
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