Results: Evolving Solar Power Technology

Using a system called molecular solar thermal energy storage (MOST), researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China developed an ultra-thin chip to act as a thermoelectric generator. "This is a radically new way of generating electricity from solar energy," said Kasper Moth-Poulsen, a professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Chalmers who led the research. "It means that we can use solar energy to produce electricity regardless of weather, time of day, season, or geographical location." Does this sound like a promising energy breakthrough?

The MOST system uses a specially designed molecule that reacts to sunlight in order to capture the Sun's energy. After loading it with solar energy in Sweden, Chalmers University sent it to their colleagues in Shanghai where they were able to convert it into electricity. "Essentially, Swedish sunshine was sent to the other side of the world and converted into electricity in China," said a statement released by Chalmers University. Have you heard about this technology before?

"The generator is an ultra-thin chip that could be integrated into electronics such as headphones, smartwatches and telephones," said researcher Zhihang Wang. "So far, we have only generated small amounts of electricity, but the new results show that the concept really works. It looks very promising." Do you agree?

The researchers hope the technology can lead to self-charging electronics that use stored solar energy on demand, as well as holding the potential to transform renewable and emissions-free energy production. More research and development is required before the system can be implemented at scale, though Chalmers University said it has already attracted "great interest worldwide" when presented in its early stage. Would you invest in an American or Canadian company that could deliver safe, affordable solar energy to power your home using this new technology?