Solar panels are typically deep black because it is the most efficient colour at absorbing energy from sunlight.
Most attempts to give the devices colour end up decreasing their ability to absorb light and generate power.
But this colour limitation can mean they are not appropriate to use in many architectural designs. The new breakthrough could see solar panels used in decorative settings where they can blend more smoothly into their surroundings.
Developed by a team of researchers funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the new panels were produced in blue, green and purple hues while only dropping the efficiency of power generation from 22.6 to 21.5 per cent.
The prototype solar panels
Image credit: Adapted from ACS Nano 2022, DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c05840
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