Every time the sun shines on a solar panel, it sends a portion of infrared energy along. But up until now, solar panels did not know how to handle that infrared light. But researchers at the University of California Riverside recently discovered a coating for solar panels that allows them to use the infrared portion of the light spectrum. The coating consists of nanoparticles and organic materials, and it boosts the conversion efficiency of a solar cell by at least 30 percent. How? The researchers say these materials “upconvert” light by changing its color. And the good thing is, every time solar energy becomes cheaper and more efficient, it becomes more attractive as a substitute for fossil fuels.
This solar panel coating boosts the efficiency of a solar panel by using infrared
More of Today's Solutions
MIT to publish free plans online for a cheap emergency ventilator
Imagine a class project from over a decade ago ended up holding the solution to a global issue? Well that's the case for a ...
Read MoreThe case for growing nectar-rich plants in your garden this spring
The nectar created by flowering plants is a significant food source for many of the critters we share our environment with. Those of us ...
Read MoreNew York schools commit to nurturing mental health through mindful breathing
Meet Noah Hill, a third-grader at Brooklyn's Dr. Ronald E. McNair Public School 5. He's discovered a simple yet significant technique for finding peace ...
Read MoreThe surprising power of penguin poop: how guano-made clouds may help cool the...
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the chilly heart of Antarctica, a bunch of tuxedoed waddlers may be doing more for the planet ...
Read More
