OUC Professor Develops All-weather Solar Cells

The structural representation of solar cells on rainy days
Photo source
The structural representation of solar cells on rainy days | Image: eweb.ouc.edu.cn

Date: 20 January 2017

Prof. Tang Qunwei develops graphene solar panels that generate energy when it rains.

Prof. Tang Qunwei, a research fellow with the Institute of Material Science and Engineering of Ocean University of China (OUC) published as the first author a research paper introducing in details an innovative solar panel technology that could turn raindrops into electric power.

The academic paper was carried in the latest issue of in the Angewandte Chemie journal based in Germany. 

This research finding has not only been thought highly of by the fellow scientists of the same field from home and abroad, but also exerted significant influence on the photovoltaic power industry.

The utilization of the solar power is restricted by the weather uncertainty, although the renewable energy is clean and thus it is becoming increasingly popular.

The research team led by Prof. Tang Qunwei from Ocean University of China and Prof. Yang Peizhi from Yunnan Normal University developed a new type of solar cell made of graphene, making it possible to produce solar power on rainy days.

“Solar energy researchers used to look more at how to utilize and convert the solar energy in a more effective way. But now the success in the development of graphene solar cell has led to a major progress in the utilization of clean energy characterized by the solar energy and also laid a foundation for the development of ‘all weather solar cells’,” Prof. Tang said.

This finding will help to extend the potential power generation period of solar cells, making it possible to produce electricity not only in the abundant rainfall areas with less solar energy resources, but also in acid rain-prone areas as well as the power supply on the islands and reefs, Prof. Tang said, adding that it can also be used in marine navigation.

Prof. Tang Qunwei arrived at OUC in 2012 as a topnotch young professional thanks to the university’s Young Talent Program. His research interests range from dye-sensitized solar cells and seawater hydrogen production.

Over the past five years, he has published more than 120 SCI papers in Angewandte Chemie International Edition and Advanced Materials as the first or corresponding author.

This research project on graphene solar cells has been funded by National Natural Science Foundation, Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province and OUC’s Young Talent Program.

Schematic diagram of the electricalsignal
Schematic diagram of the electricalsignal

Translated by Sam ZHENG

Proofread by William ZOU

600450 OUC Professor Develops All-weather Solar Cells glassonweb.com

See more news about:

Others also read

Tianjin NorthGlass has created a super-thick curtain wall glass with polymer material net for the Wellington Convention Center.
Following the fourth interinstitutional meeting which took place on 7 December, EU co-legislators reached a political agreement on the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
New office building on the Drees & Sommer campus
As a member of the European Solar PV Industry Alliance (ESIA), Glass for Europe contributes to the “Finance” and “Value Chain” working groups.
The technology company is taking an important step towards sustainable energy supply.
Around 40 participants at the FGIA Fall Conference had the opportunity to tour the 327-acre National Renewable Energy Laboratory campus in Golden, CO.

Add new comment

From industry