An international research project investigated the feasibility of converting solar energy into chemical energy with the design of a hybrid device with a solar energy storage and cooling layer integrated with a silicon-based solar cell. During testing, the device recorded record energy storage efficiency and reduced the cell surface temperature by approximately 8 C under standard solar irradiation conditions.
An international research team led by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Barcelona created a hybrid device that combines molecular solar thermal energy (MOST) with silicon-based photovoltaics. The researchers say this is the first hybrid device that combines a silicon solar cell with an innovative storage system.
In the research paper “Hybrid solar energy device for simultaneous generation of electrical energy and storage of molecular solar energyavailable indoors Joulethe team explains that the MOST system is made of elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine and nitrogen, avoiding the need for rare materials.
The hybrid system consists of organic molecules that, when irradiated with high-energy photons such as ultraviolet light, undergo a chemical transformation and store energy for later use. The system also serves as an optical filter and coolant for the solar cell, which was found to improve the use of solar energy and address the limitations of existing conventional solar and storage technologies.
Experimental tests conducted on the system have shown a record energy storage efficiency of 2.3%. Meanwhile, the integration of the MOST system with the solar cell was found to reduce the surface temperature of the cell by approximately 8 C under standard solar irradiation conditions, thereby reducing energy losses due to heat.
The hybrid system also showed a solar energy use efficiency of 14.9%, which represents an improvement over the two hybrid solar systems when operating independently.
In the conclusion of the research report, the team said the hybrid system is a “significant step toward a sustainable energy storage technology that complements PV systems.” It adds that the system has demonstrated the ability to produce more consistent power delivery over different periods of time, meaning it could theoretically be configured to use different materials throughout the day to optimize efficiency.
“A notable advantage of the MOST-PV hybrid system is its dual functionality, allowing simultaneous energy storage and electricity generation from solar energy, exemplifying an integrated approach to energy use,” the researchers said.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge, Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and Barcelona’s Institute of Materials Science all contributed to the research.
This content is copyrighted and may not be reused. If you would like to collaborate with us and reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
