New Solar Power Technology Mimics Photosynthesis

Can we apply solar power technologies learned from plants?

If you have a working knowledge of solar power technology, you probably know a bit about photovoltaic (PV) cells.  These silicon-based cells have been criticized as too expensive and not environmentally friendly to produce.

Next, solar power researchers developed dye solar cells, which operate in a fashion described as “artificial photosynthesis.”  In other words, it generates energy much as a plant does when sunlight strikes a leaf.

Dye solar cells (DSC) work using an electrolyte, a layer of titanium, and ruthenium dye inserted between panes of glass. When sunlight strikes the dye, it excites electrons which are then absorbed by the titanium to become an electric current.  Among several claimed advantages of DSC cells over PV cells, it costs less to produce dye solar cells.  Dye solar cells are also said to be more efficient than PV cells in low-light conditions.  In addition, building construction can more readily incorporate dye solar cells than the installation of PV panels.

Recently, researchers at the Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT) discovered a new solar power technology that mimics photosynthesis, allowing energy created during the day to be stored for use during times the sun is not shining!  How can this be done, you say?  MIT researchers explain in a way that only scientists can make sound so simple:

“the sun’s energy [can] to be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Later, the oxygen and hydrogen may be recombined inside a fuel cell, creating carbon-free electricity to power your house or your electric car, day or night.”

Sounds great, right?  But how does this new solar power technology really work?  The researchers use compound made from cobalt and phosphate. When the sun is out, electricity from solar panels is fed to the compound in water, causing the water to split into hydrogen and oxygen.  The elements then create a chemical fuel that can be recombined to create energy later.

The discovery breaks “the connection between energy and fossil fuels because my energy is coming from water,” explains Dr. Nocera, “unleashing the solar energy, not in real time, but when you want to.”

Now, admittedly, Dr. Nocera could sound more excited about the new solar power technology breakthrough!  But let us provide the fireworks for this amazing discovery.  Anything that reduces the cost of solar power and also allows the efficient storage of excess energy is worth celebrating!

This is exciting stuff!

Dr. Nocera’s work is part of the MIT Energy Initiative, which is aiming to transform the global energy system to meet future needs in a responsible, environmentally-sensitive manner.  Funding was also provided to MIT’s Solar Revolution Project, with a goal to see large scale deployment of solar energy within 10 years.

With Dr. Nocera’s discovery, we can now expect that solar power will be a viable option for consumers who previously worried about the cost and practicality of using energy from sunlight overnight.  Nocera’ team is sharing their new solar power technology research with the entire scentific community (as well as the press, as you can see!)  The hope is that within 8-10 years, solar power can be used large-scale and at a cost at or below coal or natural gas-powered electricity.

“Tree” cheers for the MIT research team!!