Photovoltaic (PV) cells are not able to convert all of the photons which fall upon them into electricity. Only a limited range of frequencies can be utilized. MIT researchers are investigating a two layer solution in which an upper layer heated by incident light re-emits the energy in the infra-red range to a second layer tuned to this frequency.
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2014/how-to-tap-the-suns-energy-through-heat-as-well-as-light-0119.html / new approach harvesting harvest solar energy develop development developed MIT researchers research researching improved improve efficiency sun light sunlight heat high temperature high-temperature material infrared radiation collect collector collected conventional photovoltaic cell technique easy easier store energy later use researchers improve improves performance take advantage wavelength photon wavelengths Sun sunlight light paper published journal Nature Nanotechnology graduate student Andrej Lenert associate professor mechanical engineering Evelyn Wang physics professor Marin Soljačić principal research scientist Ivan Celanović conventional silicon-based solar cell take advantage photons photon Wang convert converting energy photon electricity photons photon’s energy level match characteristic photovoltaic PV material bandgap silicon bandgap responds many wavelengths light respond wavelength wave address limitation team inserted two layer two-layer absorber-emitter absorber emitter absorb emit device novel materials material carbon nanotubes photonic crystal between sunlight PV cell intermediate material collects collect energy broad spectrum sunlight heating up process heats up glow glows red hot emit emits light particular wavelength tune tuned match bandgap PV cell mounted nearby solar-thermal solar thermal photovoltaic improved efficiency /
