College of College of Graduate Studies

Third-generation solar technologies: The solution to energy challenges

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Presenting at the 5th Webinar Series hosted by the UNESCO-Unisa-iTLAB/NRF Africa Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Prof Federico Rosei from the Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, in Varennes (QC), Canada, focused on "Multifunctional materials for emerging technologies".

Third-generation solar technologies

Addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, Rosei holds that a significant challenge that needs urgent attention is that of energy. In his presentation, he mentioned some focal points that are of interest in addressing the energy crisis. Rosei remarked: "The world population, which was about eight billion at the end of 2022, remains one of the challenges that are not adequately addressed. In the past, the energy revolution was powered by fossil fuels and advanced technology." He added: "This was prompted by a rapid increase in population numbers. Energy waste is also a challenge as 1.5 to 2 billion people have no access to basic needs such as electricity, water, food, and sanitation."

UNESCO consists of a network of collaborating organisations that address societal challenges. It focuses on energy and building capacity in the renewable energy technologies area. Effective solutions are required to store energy that is available for future use. In materials for conversion, the focus is on solar energy. It is, therefore, important to transform energy from the sun. Rosei explained that third-generation solar technologies can be used for classical photovoltaics to convert radiation to electricity. Photoelectrochemical solar cells mimic the photosynthesis reaction plants. In this reaction, plants convert solar energy into chemical energy and use it to fuel their activities.

The third-generation solar technologies can also be used to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen is considered a potential clean fuel of the future, because when you combust it in a fuel cell, the only by-product is water. "Additionally," Rosei continued, "third-generation solar technologies can be used as antennas for windows. The surface of windows can further be used to capture sunlight to transform into electricity and not lose illumination." This is promising for building integrated photovoltaics, particularly for very tall, large buildings that have many windows. This occurs through placing a wave guide to transparent po lymers in front of the window, and the wave guide is framed at the edges within long and thin solar cells. Rosei’s presentation emphasised the need to develop new technologies that are energy intensive.

To watch the presentation, click here.

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* By Hanli Wolhuter, Communication and Marketing Specialist and Musa Buthelezi, Intern, College of Graduate Studies

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Publish date: 2023/05/30

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