A Guide to Graphene-Based Solar Cells

Posted by Rob A on September 6th, 2019

An increasing number of people are becoming proactive about the environmental impact of their daily activities. Homeowners are opting to use energy-efficient models of various appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers. Several businesses are going paperless in creating, managing, and storing client files, inventory reports, payroll records, and more.

Another method that's gaining popularity in recent years is harnessing energy from the sun to power residential and commercial properties. It's a free, renewable, and sustainable resource. An essential component in a solar-powered system is photovoltaic (PV) cells. These panels are responsible for collecting sunlight that'll be converted into electricity.

Different types of materials are used to construct these cells, but one that's capturing the interest of many in the scientific community is graphene. It's a single layer of a carbon atom arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Despite being extremely thin, it's solid and flexible. It can also conduct electricity and heat remarkably well.

But the main quality scientists and engineers are focusing on is its light absorption ability, which has led to the creation of PV cells that incorporate this material and other compounds. Some examples include bonding perovskite or silicon with graphene. Here's what you need to know about the different kinds of graphene-based solar panels:

Graphene-Polymer

Adding a polymer compound to a graphene solar panel increases its electrical resistance, which is vital for preventing electric currents from leaking out of the system's circuitry. This type of hybrid cell also possesses a high conductivity rate.

Graphene-Silicon

PV cells made of pure silicon have already been widely used for years, but studies have found that adding graphene slightly improves how they capture sunlight. The scientific community is experimenting on this combination further so future models will show a more significant rise in power conversion efficiency.

Graphene-Quantum Dot

Remember the hexagonal lattice graphene's carbon atoms are arranged in? It serves as a foundation for quantum dots to be structured in more uniform layers. Using the material results in PV cells that conduct electricity faster while preventing any instances of charge recombination.

Graphene-Perovskite

Solar panels made from a composite of perovskite and graphene retain their structural integrity after being exposed to sunlight for a long time. They can last for up to 140 hours while showing little damage unlike other types of PV cells that drastically deteriorate after 120 hours.

By knowing the differences between these kinds of cells, you can make a more informed choice about which one can be part of your residential or commercial solar energy system. Whether you pick panels that have polymer components or a combination of silicon and graphene, make sure they can capture enough sunlight to power your property. Also, see to it that they're compatible with the inverters and batteries you're planning to use.

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Rob A

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Rob A
Joined: April 10th, 2019
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