Amazingly, a 12-year-old from Portland, OR has facilitated the latest in solar industry headlines. William Yuan, a seventh grader, has researched and revolutionized the three-dimensional solar cell. First invented by scientists at the Georgia Tech Research Institute, this new generation of solar cells can absorb both UV and visible light, possibly improving cell efficiency dramatically.

Yuan, as part of the craziest homework assignment I’ve ever heard of, researched and developed his own version of the 3-D solar cell. Typical solar cells are flat and can only absorb visible light. The 3-D solar cell, however, greatly improves absorption by collecting UV rays as well. There is no doubt that young Yuan has found himself a spot on the cutting edge of solar technology and research. He earned himself a $25,000 scholarship and a trip to the Library of Congress for his efforts.

As with many new solar innovations, this 3-D technology will likely find its initial uses in outer space. Their 3-D structure, by enabling more light absorption, offers the possibility of smaller and more lightweight solar panels – a huge advantage for spacecraft. They also promise to greatly reduce the size and structure of solar panels and arrays. Based on what he’s done by age 12, imagine William Yuan’s college thesis!
photo courtesy of www.gatech.edu

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Posted on September 23rd in Solar News by Dan.