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.

In what ways does the QESST team plan to make solar cells cheaper and more efficient?

What is the significance of the efficiency range of 15% to 20% for standard solar cells?