Today’s silicon solar panels literally lack flexibility. They are relatively thick and therefore heavy, preventing them from entering aviation, and they are more commonly used in wearable electronics. This is also important for space because it costs a lot of money to put each kilogram into orbit. Perhaps scientists from China and Australia who create ultra-thin and flexible panels from ordinary silicone will help in this matter.

The other day, China’s state-run Science and Technology Newspaper quoted Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (JUST) professor Li Yang as saying that crystalline silicon solar cells made from silicon wafers were and still are the most mature and widely used solar cells . solution to generate electricity, “but they face two major technological bottlenecks”.

One of the disadvantages of modern silicon photopanels is that the energy conversion efficiency of large-area silicon elements is limited to 26%; Another obstacle is the thickness of the element (typically 150 to 180 microns), which makes them difficult to use in applications that require a more flexible and lightweight material for mounting on curved roofs, satellites, and space stations.

Papers published in the journal led by Professor Li, a group of scientists from JUST, Australia’s Curtin University and LONGi Green Energy Technology Nature article reporting the creation of a photopanel approximately 50 microns thick from crystalline silicon. It is thinner than ordinary A4 writing paper. This photo panel cannot be bent in half like a piece of paper, but with enough curvature it can be bent without breaking.

Importantly, the efficiency of the ultra-thin photopanel exceeded 26%. Scientists have created several more photocells with a thickness of 55 to 130 microns, and their efficiency exceeds 26%. Professor Lee said his group was working to create more flexible and efficient crystalline silicon solar cells that could one day be as useful as a roll of film.