Italian scientists have developed solar panels using a pigment found in blueberries, thus eliminating the need for silicon. The result is a much cheaper solar panel with greater efficiency.
The research team concluded that they could make a solar panel that was completely devoid of all silicon, and the end result was a solar panel that is much cheaper and more efficient, because the panels and also made from no toxic materials.
Extraction of the pigment is done by applying a quick procedure which consist in chemical purification, according to Professor Di Carlo in the Department of Electronic Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
“At the moment, the use of natural dyes in solar cells is quite compelling because it demonstrates that with simple, organic ingredients, one can create electrical power from sunlight,” Di Carlo said.
Existing silicon-based solar panels achieve an efficiency rate of roughly 15 percent, whereas solar panels made with blueberries achieve only 5-to 10 percent efficiency today. By using synthetic dyes, efficiency rates of 10 percent or more can be achieved.