Subscribe now

Environment

Can solar panels designed for space boost clean energy on Earth?

Efficient solar panels have helped make solar power the cheapest form of energy on the planet, and new designs based on space-age technology are going further

By James Dinneen

23 July 2024

An Oxford PV solar module with layers of perovskite and silicon

Oxford PV

The most efficient solar cell ever made can convert almost half of the sunlight that reaches it into electricity. If widely available, such a powerful cell – with double the efficiency of the standard solar panel on sale today – could slash the cost of solar energy, as well as the amount of land and material needed to build it.

The problem is that such ultra-efficient cells were designed to power satellites in space and were made using extremely expensive materials. Those dollars are a drop in the bucket…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Unlock this article

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 15 January 2025.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account