Chennai: Researchers have said designing solar panels in checkerboard lines increases their ability to absorb light by 125 per cent.
According to scientists, the breakthrough could lead to the production of thinner, lighter and more flexible solar panels that could be used to power more homes and be used in a wider range of products.
The study was led by researchers from the University of York and conducted in partnership with NOVA University of Lisbon.
Their research investigated how different surface designs impacted the absorption of sunlight in solar cells, which when put together form solar panels.
Scientists found that the checkerboard design improved diffraction, which enhanced the probability of light being absorbed that is then used to create electricity.
According to Dr Christian Schuster from the Department of Physics, “we found a simple trick for boosting the absorption of slim solar cells. Our investigations show that our idea actually rivals the absorption enhancement of more sophisticated designs, while also absorbing more light deep in the plane and less light near the surface structure itself. Our design rule meets all relevant aspects of light trapping for solar cells, clearing the way for simple, practical, and yet outstanding diffractive structures, with a potential impact beyond photonic applications.”
He added: “This design offers potential to further integrate solar cells into thinner, flexible materials and therefore create more opportunity to use solar power in more products.”
The research suggests the design principle could impact not only the solar cell or LED sector but also applications such as acoustic noise shields, wind break panels, anti-skid surfaces, biosensing applications and atomic cooling.