IBM has plans to manufacture high efficiency solar cell energy, but is open to make alliances with manufacturers of solar cells to demonstrate the technology.

IBM announced that it has built a solar cell, whose key layer that absorbs most light for conversion into energy is composed entirely of elements readily available - that sets a new world record for efficiency and has the potential to allow the technology of solar cells produce more energy at lower cost.

Due to its composition of copper (Cu), tin (Sn), zinc (Zn), sulfur (S), and / or selenium (Se), the cell shows an efficiency in energy conversion of 9.6%, ie 40% greater than the value previously achieved for this package. To enable a breakthrough in solar cell research, IBM is leveraging its expertise in technology, materials and manufacture of microprocessors.

“In one hour, reaching the earth more energy from sunlight to power the entire planet consumes in a year, but the solar cells actually contribute less than 0.1% of electricity supply, mainly due to its high cost,” said Dr. David Mitzi, who leads the IBM Research team that developed the solar cell. “The search for solar technology development that is comparable to conventional electricity generation cost per watt and also offers the ability Deployment to the terawatt level has become a major challenge that our research is closer to overcome.”

Tagged with: • •

Filed under: computer technology

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!