Solar Panels that work at night !

SailorSam

Could this be where Solar power really starts to be our best way to get over any future energy crisis. Solar panels that work in the dark.

Scientists Develop Affordable Solar Panels That Work In The Dark

HappyMJ

Wouldn't they then be called lunar panels? http://www.lunarpanels.com/

rogerblack

Basically journalists don't understand science at all.
What this is about is that current solar panels have one 'bandgap' - this is the amount of energy a photon needs to push an electron out of the back of the panel.

What this means is that all current domestic silicon solar panels generate the same output energy for red light, and for blue light.
But because blue light has more energy, over 50% of this is wasted, and lost as heat.
By layering a very thin cell optimised for blue light on top of the one optimised for red, you can get a fair few percent more efficiency.

This is _nothing_ to do with 'at night' - they do not work at all from thermal IR as you get from clouds and people.
These 'triple junction' solar cells have been around for over a decade, used in space. They are just eyewateringly expensive.
I do note that some economy 7 tariffs, and the most efficient lights make it almost worthwhile to - with FIT - light your panels at night.