Another Breakthrough in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

This time, the credit goes to popcorn balls. At least, a design based on them. Scientists at the University of Washington have grouped dye-sensitized solar cells into groups of tiny, porous spheres that contain light absorbing, zinc oxide dyes. With this new design, more light gets trapped inside, increasing efficiency levels more than twofold.

Currently, dye-sensitized solar cells have about 11 percent efficiency - on a good day. Scientists hope to achieve 25 percent efficiency using the popcorn ball model and more efficient, titanium dioxide pigments. This would make them more competitive with thin-film, which is still ahead of dye sensitized solar cells when it comes to price per watt.

Links:

• Nano "Popcorn Balls" Increase Dye Solar Efficiency by 250%
• List of Residential Solar Power Contractors by State