New designs and approaches to solar are coming out weekly, but scientists have yet to attain the holy grail of 50 percent efficiency. Solar cells typically convert about 15 to 25 percent of the energy from sunlight into electricity—though 44.7 percent efficiency has been achieved in labs. A company from North Carolina called Semprius has come up with a way to stack solar cells that will lead to the 50 percent efficiency scientists are looking for. Semprius’ design uses tiny solar cells, just millimeters in diameter, to reduce cost of cooling and increase efficiency. Semprius then stacks semiconducting materials, up to three, on top of a fourth solar cell. This design has been able to reach 44.1 percent efficiency. Semprius says that 50 percent efficiency will be achieved in the next five years.
Stacked solar cells make solar power cheaper than natural gas
More of Today's Solutions
Two Black women to serve together in the United States Senate in a historic f...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in American history, two Black women will serve together in the Senate. Angela Alsobrooks, ...
Read MoreResilient community-building: staying safe in times of uncertainty
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY TEAM Recent global and domestic developments have left many feminists and allies feeling uneasy, uncertain about their place in society, ...
Read More3 lifestyle hacks to help you become a little happier
There is no one path to finding happiness, but there are some lifestyle changes you can make to become more receptive to happiness. Without ...
Read MoreFor the first time ever, Greece meets energy demands with 100% renewables
The other week, Greece celebrated an exciting milestone! All of the country’s electricity needs were met by renewable energy for the first time, as ...
Read More
