Solar Energy News
SOLAR DAILY
AI designed nanostructure coating cuts solar reflection and boosts cell efficiency
illustration only
AI designed nanostructure coating cuts solar reflection and boosts cell efficiency
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 02, 2025

Conventional silicon solar cells lose nearly half their potential light energy to surface reflection, but a new antireflective coating could dramatically reduce that loss. Researchers have developed a precision-engineered metasurface composed of a single ultrathin layer of polycrystalline silicon nanostructures, enhancing light absorption across a broad spectrum and incidence angles.

The new design, detailed in Advanced Photonics Nexus, combines forward and inverse computational strategies with artificial intelligence to produce a coating that minimizes reflection from 500 to 1200 nanometers. At direct light incidence, it reflects as little as 2 percent of sunlight, and just 4.4 percent at steep angles. These performance levels are unprecedented for single-layer antireflective solutions.

Unlike traditional coatings, which are limited to narrow frequency and angular ranges, this metasurface remains highly effective even when sunlight strikes at non-optimal angles. Its success stems from the fusion of innovative design algorithms and material simplicity, offering a new path to scalable solar panel upgrades.

The researchers emphasize the coating's potential for mass production and integration into current photovoltaic manufacturing lines. By reducing reflection so efficiently with minimal added complexity, it may accelerate clean energy deployment worldwide.

Moreover, the approach represents a broader advance in metasurface engineering. It could spur multifunctional photonic coatings beneficial for applications in sensors, imaging systems, and other optical technologies.

Research Report:Forward and inverse design of single-layer metasurface-based broadband antireflective coating for silicon solar cells

Related Links
International Society for Optics and Photonics
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SOLAR DAILY
Breakthrough in organic radical crystals boosts solar power-to-electricity tech
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 23, 2025
Recent innovations in solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) technology have significantly advanced the ability to convert sunlight into electricity, opening up promising applications in areas such as wearable devices, the Internet of Things, and personalized climate control. Central to these developments is the strategic refinement of thermoelectric materials, device architecture, and heat management techniques. Among the array of materials explored, photothermal substances have emerged as particu ... read more

SOLAR DAILY
Bacteria breathe electricity unlocking bioenergy and clean tech potential

Turning wood waste into ultra strong material

Tunisian startup turns olive waste into clean energy

Airlines cast doubt on EU sustainable fuel targets

SOLAR DAILY
Meta releases standalone AI app, competing with ChatGPT

RoboBee gains insect-inspired legs for stable landings

Robotic runners hobbled by breakdowns in first half-marathon against humans

Israel's unmanned bulldozers breaking ground in Gaza war

SOLAR DAILY
Norway's Equinor slams 'unlawful' halt to US wind farm

US halts Equinor's huge New York offshore wind project

Chinese energy giant Goldwind posts annual growth as overseas drive deepens

Clean energy giant Goldwind leads China's global sector push

SOLAR DAILY
'Not everyone will survive': China carmakers eye cutthroat market

Smart driving new front in China car wars despite fatal crash

Volvo Cars launches $1.9 billion cost-cutting plan

Italy's Pirelli says Chinese control over

SOLAR DAILY
UN chief says energy revolution unstoppable despite US pivot

ITER completes record breaking superconducting magnet system for fusion energy

Microscale weld imaging unlocks improved durability for fusion power plants

Indonesia says China's Huayou to replace LGES in EV battery project

SOLAR DAILY
Top uranium producer Namibia to open talks on nuclear energy plant

AI driven algorithm streamlines next generation nuclear reactor shielding design

Spain nuclear plants in 'safe' shutdown mode after blackout

New reactor model unlocks deeper insights into molten salt reactor dynamics

SOLAR DAILY
How can an electricity network go down in five seconds?

Finland says supports EU goal to cut emissions 90 percent by 2040

UN, Brazil to hold virtual summit Wednesday ahead of COP30

Gunmen attack Chinese-owned power plant site in Chile

SOLAR DAILY
Tentative tree planting 'decades overdue' in sweltering Athens

Papua New Guinea lifts ban on forest carbon credits

AI tool aims to help conserve Japan's cherry trees

AI tool aims to help conserve Japan's cherry trees

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.