A group of researchers has made more progress toward the next generation of solar technology. Scientists from the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, working with Uppsala University in Sweden, have developed a new type of ultrathin solar cell that uses a microscopic layer of patterned gold to capture and reuse sunlight more efficiently.
Interesting Engineering reported that the breakthrough could become a mainstream option for powering homes, vehicles, and portable devices.
"This architecture gives us a powerful way to manage light and reduce interface recombination in ultrathin devices," said researcher and study author André Violas. "It brings us closer to making lightweight, flexible solar cells efficient enough for real-world applications."
Traditional thin-film solar cells are prized for being lighter and cheaper to make than standard silicon panels. But when they get too thin, they have a harder time trapping enough light, meaning a lot of potential energy slips away.
The INL team's solution is a nanostructured gold mirror that sits behind the solar cell's active layer. This ultrathin reflective surface bounces unabsorbed sunlight back into the cell, giving it a second chance to be absorbed. It also includes a coating of aluminum oxide that helps prevent energy from "leaking" out of the cell.
Using nanoimprint lithography, which essentially stamps the pattern onto the cell, the scientists made the design cheaper and scalable for industrial production. And it's more efficient — tests on the solar cells showed that the gold mirrors boosted efficiency by about 1.5%.
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This and similar solar cell breakthroughs could help make solar power more accessible by enabling thin, flexible panels that can attach to walls, windows, or even curved surfaces. The lightweight design also reduces manufacturing materials, energy use, and waste — all of which help cut production costs and harmful carbon pollution. By making more efficient solar tech easier to mass-produce, INL's design could support a more affordable and resilient clean-energy future for us all.
It's not known how quickly this innovation could be scaled for commercial use. However, for people looking to tap into energy savings now, installing solar panels is one of the best ways to slash utility bills — even down to nearly $0 — while also reducing toxic air pollution that harms community health.
EnergySage offers a free service to compare quotes from vetted installers, helping homeowners save up to $10,000. Going solar also makes powering other efficient electric systems, like heat pumps, even cheaper and cleaner. Mitsubishi is a great resource for finding an affordable heat pump that's right for your home.
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