Ultraviolet rays take a toll on solar cells, just as they do human cells. While it may not manifest itself as a sunburn, UV light does expedite degradation of solar cells. As a promising answer to this dilemma, a scientist at the University of California in Los Angeles, Yang Yang, says his new material can change UV rays into visible light, reducing damage and even enhancing efficiency of a solar cell.

The new “photon conversion material” (PCM) converts harmful UV into longer wavelengths, enhancing efficiency of solar-energy conversion and reducing damage to cells. This should help the solar cells last longer, as well as increase their electrical yield. – Source article

The process for manufacturing solar semiconductors already has a nasty byproduct called silicon tetrachloride which is highly toxic. To add another layer of a polymer, and a fluoride compound at that (”polymer blue polyfluorene”), could make solar power an even less attractive alternative for energy. Of course this new PCM material is made just for adding sustainability to solar cells. If the lifespan of the solar cell, which is already in question, is greatly extended then I suppose the reduction in pollution would be worth the new technology. Besides, emissions resulted from solar production plus the new material cannot compare to the pollution levels of coal combustion and other unsustainable electricity generating methods.

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