Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenberg, Sweden, have achieved a major breakthrough in solar technology. They have developed a system that can capture and store solar energy for up to 18 years and convert it into electricity on demand using a thermoelectric generator.

This revolutionary system allows solar energy to be stored and transmitted anywhere in the world, regardless of weather, time of day, season, or geographical location. The implications of this development are significant, as it offers a closed, circular system for generating electricity without contributing to planet-overheating carbon dioxide pollution.

The researchers conducted a successful test by harvesting solar energy in Sweden and transmitting it to colleagues at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who were able to convert it into usable electricity.

Research leader Kasper Moth-Poulsen, a professor at Chalmers University, expressed his excitement about the breakthrough, stating, ‘This is a radically new way of generating electricity from solar energy. It means that we can use solar energy to produce electricity regardless of weather, time of day, season, or geographical location. I’m very excited about this work. We hope with future development this will be an important part in the future energy system.’

While solar energy is already recognized as a cleaner alternative to traditional energy sources, its limitations, such as reliance on sunlight, have hindered its widespread adoption. However, with this new innovation, the potential of solar energy is greatly expanded. The researchers believe that it could eventually replace electric car batteries and solar cells.

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the system, Professor Moth-Poulsen mentioned, ‘Together with the various research groups included in the project, we are now working to streamline the system. The amount of electricity or heat it can extract needs to be increased.’

Zhihang Wang, another researcher on the project, added, ‘So far, we have only generated small amounts of electricity, but the new results show that the concept really works. It looks very promising.’

This breakthrough in solar technology holds the promise of revolutionizing the way we harness and utilize solar energy, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient energy system.