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  • Multi-institutional team extracts more energy from sunlight with advanced solar panels

    Silicon solar panels are reaching their technological limit, but researchers are experimenting by combining silicon with other materials to squeeze more energy out of sunlight. Electrical and computer engineering professor Larry Lee led a new study that could boost the efficiency of consumer solar panels by 50%.

    Silicon solar panels are reaching their technological limit, but researchers are experimenting by combining silicon with other materials to squeeze more energy out of sunlight. Electrical and computer engineering professor Larry Lee led a new study that could boost the efficiency of consumer solar panels by 50%.

    Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

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  • Editor’s notes:

    To reach Minjoo Larry Lee, call 217-300-4430; email mllee@illinois.edu.

    The paper “Current-matched III–V/Si epitaxial tandem solar cells with 25.0% efficiency” is available online and from the U. of I. News Bureau. DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2020.100208

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Silicon solar panels are reaching their technological limit, but researchers are experimenting by combining silicon with other materials to squeeze more energy out of sunlight. Electrical and computer engineering professor Larry Lee led a new study that could boost the efficiency of consumer solar panels by 50%.

Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

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A schematic showing the layered structure of a tandem solar panel.

Graphic courtesy Mijung Kim

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Lead author Shizhao Fan.

Photo courtesy Grainger College of Engineering