Full-spectrum solar power? You heard it here first...

[Emperor_Norton_II]

http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/MSD-full-spectrum-solar-cell.html

BERKELEY, CA — Researchers in the Materials Sciences Division (MSD) of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working with crystal-growing teams at Cornell University and Japan's Ritsumeikan University, have learned that the band gap of the semiconductor indium nitride is not 2 electron volts (2 eV) as previously thought, but instead is a much lower 0.7 eV.

The serendipitous discovery means that a single system of alloys incorporating indium, gallium, and nitrogen can convert virtually the full spectrum of sunlight -- from the near infrared to the far ultraviolet -- to electrical current.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

1. wow, this sounds good?

nt

[seasat]

2. A real possibility of close to 70% efficient solar panels?

And made from a low cost material? Sign me up!

[AbsolutMauser]

3. What this means...

So, if I understand the article, this means we might eventually be able to construct cheap solar panels that roughly double energy production for the same surface area, correct?

I suppose that means the use of solar panels on homes and other buildings may become a much more affordable and effective means of reducing power consumption from other sources. I guess the question ultimately becomes, is the cost of installing and maintaining solar cells lower than the amount of money saved on power from other sources?

~AbM

[TO Kid]

12. Depends on location

In Canada a solar/wind installation costs a bit under $10/watt (including panels, turbine, batteries and invertors). If you're more than a couple of hundred metres from the nearest hydro pole, that compares favourably with the cost of connecting to the grid.

[jarab]

13. Welcome to DU, TO Kid!!

jarab - DU moderator

[qb]

4. Now the oil industry can buy the rights and shit-can it.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[qb]

8. Sorry about the cynicism. I guess I'm feeling a little oppressed lately

by the * admin and its corporate abettors.

[Pale Blue Dot]

10. Is there a way to keep big oil from "shit-canning it"?

There have been rumors since that last oil crisis in the 70's that the oil industry was keeping one renewable technology or another under wraps.

[NNadir]

6. This is exceedingly cool. Thanx for the report. n/t

[IrateCitizen]

7. Wow! This could be HUGE!

If my calculations are correct, this means that we could convert wavelengths as large as 1800 nanometers -- well in excess of the red end of the visible spectrum, which is around 700 nanometers!

[redqueen]

9. Hope springs eternal

Fan-freaking-tastic! :D

Thanks for posting this!!!!

[evworldeditor]

11. LBL web posting is 18 months old...

Does anyone have any current information on this? How's this compare to dye sensitive solar cell technology?

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http://www.evworld.com

[Sufi Marmot]

14. So how much indium is there?

Is there enough indium around to make it feasible for this technology to be widespread?

Actually, Instead of being lazy and I'll answer my own question:

From Wikipedia:
Indium is produced mainly from residues generated during zinc ore processing but is also found in iron, lead, and copper ores. The amount of indium consumed is largely a function of worldwide LCD production. Increased manufacturing efficiency and recycling (especially in Japan) maintain a balance between demand and supply. The average indium price for 2000 was US$188 per kilogram

Up until 1924, there was only about a gram of isolated indium on the planet. The Earth is estimated to contain about 0.1 ppm of indium which means it is about as abundant as silver. Canada is a leading producer of indium, producing more than 1,000,000 troy ounces (31,100 kg) in 1997. Sweet - way to go Canada! Glad to see that this isn't another rare metal that the Congolese will be murdering themselves over.

-SM

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