Solar cells are very useful in helping convert large percentage of sun’s energy into electricity. But most of the efficient solar cells are too expensive, which is why it is difficult to turn to using most as the alternative means. The researchers from North Carolina State University have just found out a way to make cheaper solar cells from creating “ultra-thin” versions. This new solar cells design is being called “nanoscale sandwich”.

These nanoscale sandwichs have been made from using material such as cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide and other organic materials. The details of this new research have been published in the journal Nano Letters. The researchers believe that the two dielectric layers will be very efficient optical antennas and will focus on the solar energy into the active material. This means less material is required with more performance.

As of now, it is very difficult to have solar cells without losing some percentage of their efficiency and performance as is the case with any mechanical device. No machine gives a hundred percent output, but could be done is to reduce the loss. The same attempt is being made with these new kinds of solar cells that will generate the maximum output of solar energy and hence allow generation of more electricity. This new design is being called a sandwich, because of the many layers it has. It is composed of dielectric/active material/dielectric sandwich.