Study suggests new checkerboard design could increase solar panel efficiency

When it comes to solar panels, as far as we’re concerned, the more efficient the better!

There’s no doubt that solar generation has become far more efficient in recent years, not least because of the widespread adoption of solar battery storage allowing users to utilise their solar energy exactly when they need it. But what about the efficiency of the solar panels themselves?

There have certainly been advances in solar panel technology, both in terms of offering high-performance panels for cheaper, and employing new designs to elevate the potential of panels in terms of generation. Along these lines, one recent study from academics at the University of York found that one key design change could actually improve solar panel efficiency by up to 125%

The design change in question? Checkerboard!

The research team at the University of York had the aim of investigating exactly how different surface designs would impact on the ability of solar cells in terms of their absorption of sunlight. As their research progressed, it became clear that utilising a checkerboard design greatly improved diffraction, which in turn increased the probability of sunlight being absorbed by the panels, leading to a great amount for solar energy generation.

Dr Christian Schuster, one of the lead researchers with the Department of Physics at the University of York, shared “We found a simple trick for boosting the absorption of slim solar cells. Our investigations show that our idea actually rivals the absorption enhancement of more sophisticated designs – while also absorbing more light deep in the plane and less light near the surface structure itself.”

“Our design rule meets all relevant aspects of light-trapping for solar cells, clearing the way for simple, practical, and yet outstanding diffractive structures, with a potential impact beyond photonic applications. This design offers the potential to further integrate solar cells into thinner, flexible materials and therefore create more opportunity to use solar power in more products.”

The degree to which solar energy suppliers adopt this new design idea remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting finding nonetheless and one we will be on the lookout for as new solar panel designs arrive on the market in the years to come.