Breakthrough Technique in the Manufacturing Process for Solar Energy Systems

Source: Sciencedaily

The idea behind the novel fabrication technique developed by UConn engineering scientists is to explore the potential benefits of a new branch of solar energy technology that relies on incredibly small nanosized antenna arrays that are theoretically capable of harvesting more than 70 percent of the sun's electromagnetic radiation and simultaneously converting it into usable electric power.
To put this in perspective -- current
silicon panels collect only about 20 percent of available solar radiation. This limited efficiency and expensive development costs have been a big barrier to the widespread adoption of solar power as a practical replacement for traditional fossil fuels. Over the next year, prototypes are expected to be tested for efficiency -- a process compared to tuning in a station on a radio.
Original article in Science Daily