QESST for solar power to feed an energy hungry world - Science Nation

Arizona State University is leveraging solar energy to meet 50% of its electricity needs during peak days. Led by Christiana Honsberg, the QESST team is addressing the terawatt challenge by developing new, cost-effective, and efficient photovoltaic devices. Their research focuses on creating new materials to enhance solar cell performance. The team is also working on silicon wafer processing to produce solar cells, aiming to increase efficiency to the thermodynamic limit of 87%. Solar energy is becoming more cost-effective than grid electricity, promising a sustainable future.

What is the primary goal of the QESST team at Arizona State University?

• To improve fossil fuel extraction methods

• To design wind energy systems

• To create cost-effective and efficient photovoltaic devices

• To develop new nuclear energy technologies

What is the purpose of using molecular beam epitaxy in photovoltaic research?

• To develop materials with unique properties not found in nature

• To create materials with natural properties

• To reduce the size of solar cells

• To increase the weight of solar cells

What innovative method is used by the QESST team to produce solar cells?

• Applying a chemical bath

• Utilizing a big pizza oven to fire metal on silicon wafers

• Employing a laser cutter

• Using a large microwave oven

What efficiency percentage do the QESST team believe solar cells could potentially reach?

• 50%

• 100%

• 60%

• 87%

How does the cost of solar energy compare to grid electricity in many places?

• They cost the same

• Solar energy is not available

• Solar energy is less expensive

• Solar energy is more expensive