Researchers recently published a study in Nature Chemistry, aimed at understanding singlet fission and its potential to improve solar cell technology. Lead researcher Professor Tim Schmidt from UNSW Sydney’s School of Chemistry has been studying singlet fission for over a decade and believes it could enhance existing silicon solar cell technologies. Currently, most photovoltaic solar panels are made from silicon, which is reaching its limits in terms of performance. The highest efficiency achieved so far is 27.3 percent, with an absolute limit of 29.4 percent, showing the need for new approaches to increase efficiency.
Singlet fission is a process where light particles split, allowing more efficient use of energy and reducing heat loss. By breaking photons into smaller chunks, more of the higher energy part of the spectrum can be used rather than lost as heat. This process could be the key to achieving efficiencies above 30 percent in silicon solar cells. Co-author Professor Ned Ekins-Daukes explains that incorporating singlet fission technology into silicon solar panels would allow for an additional current supply, boosting overall efficiency. The team’s goal is to develop technologies capable of achieving over 30 percent efficiency at a cost below 30 cents per watt by 2030, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
The study used magnetic fields to manipulate the wavelengths of emitted light and observe the singlet fission process in detail. This innovative approach helped scientists understand how singlet fission works and how to make it more efficient. Different colors of light have photons with varying energies, but regardless of the incoming energy, excess energy is typically converted into heat. By breaking down photons and using them more efficiently, researchers hope to overcome the efficiency limits currently seen in traditional silicon solar cells. This paradigm shift could lead to significant advancements in the field of solar energy technology.
To better understand singlet fission, the team used a single wavelength laser to excite the material and an electromagnet to apply magnetic fields that slowed down the process, making it easier to observe. This allowed for a deeper scientific understanding of singlet fission and its potential applications in solar cell technology. By applying this knowledge, researchers aim to create a prototype of an improved silicon solar cell and collaborate with industrial partners to commercialize the technology. With their expertise and innovative approaches, the team is confident that silicon solar cells can achieve efficiencies above 30 percent, ushering in a new era of more efficient and cost-effective solar energy solutions.
Singlet fission offers a promising solution to improve the efficiency of silicon solar cells by breaking down photons into smaller chunks and using them more effectively, reducing heat loss. The study’s findings offer a clearer understanding of this process and how it can be applied to enhance solar cell technology. By working with industry partners and leveraging funding from organizations like the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, researchers hope to develop technologies that surpass current efficiency limits and make solar energy more accessible and cost-effective. With continued research and collaboration, the future of solar energy looks brighter than ever.