14 DAY TRIAL // Scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have come up with a black silicon technology, seeking to make solar power more competitive with other types of energy over the next decade.
New Jersey-based Natcore will benefit from their findings, exploring the new path to launch a new generation of products, cheaper and much more advanced.
The silicon wafer licensed recently could count as a game-changer on the market of solar-powered appliances, since experts talk about potential improvements posed by infra-red imaging systems and night-vision.
According to its developers, the material displays a sensitivity to light up to 500 times bigger than its predecessor, the common, widely-used silicon detectors.
Financial benefits are also expected, since cell processing costs could decrease by 8%, due to the ingenious invention.
The collaboration between NREL and Natcore aims to make the black silicon technology even more affordable while boosting a new generation of solar cells more energy-efficient, harnessing optimal amounts of sunlight throughout the entire day.