Recent research into the nature of perovskite solar cells (and the
material itself) undertaken by the Qatar Environment and Energy Research
Institute (QEERI) and AMBER (an Irish research center) has led to
findings that will lead to solar energy becoming far more economical,
according to some of those involved.
The new research has provided some new insight into the functioning
of the mineral with regard to solar energy — something that has long
been something of a mystery to researchers. To be more specific, the
research from QEERI and AMBER has revealed the way that the inorganic
crystals inside the mineral alter in structure after being exposed to
sunlight.
The researchers are now hoping that the findings — which are detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature Communications — will provoke further interest in the commercialization of the technology.
Considering that Qatar is currently aiming to generate at least a
fifth of its electricity via renewable energy by the year 2024, the new
research findings are no doubt quite welcome.
Commenting on that, and other things, Dr Mohammed Khaleel, QEERI’s executive director, stated:
This country’s rapid population and
economic growth has led to ever-increasing demands for electricity.
Without steps to secure additional sustainable energy sources, and to
reduce consumption, the economy and the environment will be adversely
affected within the next few years.
For this reason we are continuing to
focus our efforts on harnessing the power of the sun — Qatar’s most
abundant natural resource — as we develop new energy solutions for this
country and the region as part of our continued support of the Qatar
National Vision 2030.
AMBER’s Professor Sanvito commented as well, noting:
Every hour, the sun releases on Earth
as much energy as that used by the entire planet in one year.
Harvesting such an enormous amount of energy in an efficient and
cost-effective way would mean abundant green energy for the entire human
race. Developing and improving our knowledge of solar energy harvesting
is crucial. This is an exciting discovery.
Now that we understand how these new
materials work, we can design new compounds to use for solar energy
harvesting at cheaper costs than silicon solar cells.
Image Credit: NREL
http://cleantechnica.com/2015/06/26/qatar-claims-new-perovskite-research-will-lead-solar-energy-becoming-economical/