来自于Austin德克萨斯州大学和位于Minneapolis明尼苏达州大学的研究员们发明了一种能够使太阳能电池转化效率达到66%的方法。
这个步骤就是把来自于量子点的热电子转化成电子接收点。在典型的半导体太阳能电池中，在能带隙上的能量光子将会产生热电子，大部分来自于热电子的能量在它被收集和被转化成电之前通过热量散失掉。
这个新程序就是用量子点去减慢冷却热电子的过程然后收集和转化它们。也就是传统太阳能电池中通过热量所流失的能量变为了可能。
The process transfers hot electrons from quantum dots to an electron acceptor. In typical semiconductor solar cells, photons with energies above the semiconductor's bandgap generate hot electrons, and much of the energy from the hot electrons is lost through heat before it can be captured and used for electricity.
This new process uses quantum dots to slow down the cooling process of hot electrons and then captures and transfers them. This allows the addition of energy that is currently lost as heat in conventional solar cells.
"This is a dramatic leap forward in making solar power more cost efficient," stated Robert Hines, President of Evolution Solar. "This has the potential to double solar power output and cut solar payback times in half."
Evolution Solar is currently building a solar demonstration site in partnership with Texas Southern University, to be located at the University's Houston Campus. Evolution Solar is also developing a solar demonstration project with the City of Brookshire, Texas.
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