Harness infrared or near infrared rays to increase solar cells efficiency

One of the current obstacles to get better solar panel efficiency is that not all wavelengths of light or solar spectrum can be fully utilized by solar cells. But the researchers have developed a new way to use certain materials coated on solar cells to harness infrared or near infrared rays to increase solar cell efficiency .

The Researchers from Stanford University, in collaboration with the Bosch Research and Technology Center, to develop this technique into a working system to be demonstrated for the next four years. They seek to maximize the use of sunlight energy contents which its still minimal at this point, its only about 30 percent energy contents used.

According to a researcher at the Stanford group, the upconversion process allows increased efficiency of solar cells around 11 to 15 percent. The process relies on a pair of dyes absorbing the photons of a certain wavelength and re-emitting them as usable short wavelength light.

The upconversion process is first demonstrated by Stanford University Researchers. Researcher also will develop nano particles to support the upconversion process and produce material sheets. Attempt to create a more efficient solar cells may be seen the commercial about next 7 years.