Efficient nanocoax-based solar cells

The power conversion efficiency of most thin film solar cells is compromised by competing optical and electronic constraints where in a cell must be thick enough to collect light yet thin enough to efficiently extract current. Here we introduce a nanoscale solar architecture inspired by a well-known radio technology concept, the coaxial cable, that natuall resolves this thick-thin conundrum. Optically thick and electronically thin amorphous silicon nanocoax cells are in thhe range of 8% efficiency, higher than any nanostructured thin film solar cell to date moreover, the thin nature of the cells reduces the staebler-Wronski light-induced degradation effect a major problem with conventional solar cells of this type. This nanocoax represent a new platform for low cost, high efficiency solar power. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim