The power of the sun is usually harnessed in one of two ways, for thermal power or heat-generation or for electricity through solar photovoltaics. However, two researchers at Canada’s Queen’s University are working on a system that can generate both heat and electricity at the same time.

Unlike the conventional solar photovoltaic thermal system that uses crystal silicon cells, the new P.V.T. technology employs amorphous or thin-film silicon cells.

Amorphous silicon solar cells can operate at a higher temperature then conventional crystal silicon cells and their use in the Queen’s system gave it an increase in 10 percent in solar electric output.

Researcher Stephen Harrison and Joshua Pearce said the amorphous cells also have a greener footprint since they need less silicon. As they use less material they are also less expensive to produce, providing a higher return of investment for manufacturers.

They can also be made into thicker cells when they are operated under higher or near water boiling point temperatures in the P.V.T. system.

“These studies open up an entirely new application of amorphous silicon and make a highly-economic P.V.T. possible,” said Dr. Pearce.

Dr. Harrison and Dr. Pearce said these cells have technical potential to contribute to the growing demand in the solar market. – EcoSeed Staff