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Improving solar efficiency by coating cells
Australian solar energy start-up Xerocoat has invented new antireflective coating that it is says can improve power output across all solar energy technologies, from traditional silicon wafers to thin film and solar thermal.
The idea is simple: most solar cells are covered by glass and glass reflects light. Reflected light reduces the light available to make electricity.
By coating the solar cells, the glass reflection decreases by 3 percent at noon, and by 6 percent mornings and afternoons, according to the company. This increases the light absorption by the cell, and thus power output by 3 percent on a peak … Read more
