Gratzel Cells To Revolutionize Solar Energy?

Michael Gratzel has created a new solar cell that might finally be the big breakthrough in solar energy we’ve been waiting for. The cells could actually be used in any window.

Michael Gratzel is a Swiss professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. He is the Director of the Laboratory of Photonics and Interfaces. He is a big player in the energy research field and has previously done breakthrough work on the use of nano technology in lithium batteries.

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Gratzel recently created a new form of solar cell that went in a completely different direction than most previous approaches. The cells use a dye-sensitized photochemical system to convert energy in sunlight to useable electricity. In plain language, they care considered a very low cost form of thin film solar cells.

The Gratzel cells are such a hit that he and the co-creator have been awarded the extremely prestigious 2010 Millennium Technology Prize. But why? The primary reason is the cost of the cell. It is made of very low cost materials and does not require a complicated manufacturing or running process. The cost of solar panels has always been a hurdle that is difficult to overcome. The Gratzel cells should slash that cost, making panels cost effective for everyday use.

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Like they say in an infomercial…that’s not all! The cells are very flexible and can be used in many more platforms than traditional silicon versions. There are many applications, but the one that excites most people is the use in glass. Windows would be layered with the cells. You would be able to see out the windows, but the cells would give the glass a light tint. While this might not be great for homes, it would be perfect for buildings that already use tinting in windows. Imagine skyscraper buildings where every window is producing electricity? You have to admit it is a pretty amazing idea and one that would slash the use of conventional fossil fuels.

Are Gratzel cells the wave of the future in solar energy? It certainly appears so.

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