Solar energy – a renewable energy source that hasn’t been too popular due to its low efficiency and high cost of implementation. And that’s because of our current solar panel designs – they just don’t trap the sunlight well enough. Up to 30% of incident sunlight is reflected off the surface of conventional cells themselves. Solar3D Inc, a startup focused on solar energy has designed the solar cells of the future – 3D solar cells. No, these aren’t solar cells that you need 3D glasses to see, but 3D in the sense that they aren’t just flat panels laid out in a grid. Their 3D solar cells will utilize a 3D design to trap sunlight inside micro-photovoltaic structures where photons bounce around until they are converted into electrons. Sounds like a brilliant idea that might be the kick that solar power needs to become a mainstream energy source widely used all over the world. Solar3D plan to have a working prototype by the end of the year, so hold on to your hats until then. The future looks bright and exciting.
