Researchers at the Delft University of Technology and the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter believe they've proven the "avalanche effect," one of the great known-unknowns of solar tech. Unlike traditional solar cells, in which a single photon releases a single electron in order to produce electricity, this discovery allows 2 or 3 electrons to be knocked loose at a time. It might not sound like a breakthrough, but the new method could lead to 44% efficient photovoltaics, compared to the lackluster 15% of current models.

The secret to this solar sauce lies in semiconducting nanocrystals made from lead selenide. The tiny cells can be easily manufactured. This fact, combined with crazy efficiency might be the thing to push the technology over the cheaper-than-coal tipping point.

The avalanche effect was first measured at Los Alamos National Lab in 2004, but some haters in the scientific community weren't buying it. The new experiment finds that although the effect is smaller than originally thought, the results are more reliable than previous efforts.

Solar is one of the most fascinating renewable technologies to watch. With concentrating solar, thin-film, and market-driven advances of all kinds, it might not be so loonie* that the Calgary Herald predicts Moore's Law-like leaps in the sun power biz.


* I so rarely get the chance to make Canada jokes. Still, I apologize.

Eye-catching photo by Flickr-er eNil