Ideation Process: Solar Singlet Fission Technology

Solar Singlet Fission Technology
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Solar energy regarded as one of the most reliable sources of energy. In the recent past, the development of technologies in solar energy harnessing sector has resulted in significant efficiency and benefits as far as energy and consumption are concerned. Singlet Fission is the most notable development that has revolutionized solar energy harvesting. Essentially, photovoltaic solar cells work in a similar way; a semiconducting material (mostly silicon) is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. When photons (light) hit the semiconductor, a free electron is created. According to (Greyson,2007), the Shockley-Queisser limit states "A single photon can only create a singlet (single) exciton, with any extra energy dissipated as heat resulting in a max efficiency of 33%."
Four Chemistry scientists at the University of California discovered how to turn a single photon into more than one exciton through a process they named singlet fission. Theoretically, doubling the number of excitons results to up to 60% from 33%. There is still a lot of research currently on organic cells hence this technology is yet to mature. Solar cells energy is pushing towards 50%+ efficiency, this mark will render solar power more palatable as far as economics is concerned. The deployment of this technology is projected to cause economic shift in the energy sector.
Economic effects
Power generation from solar and other renewable sources rather than fossil fuels has significant health benefits. Coal and natural gas plants’ emission accounts for a large percentage of air and water pollution, (Casper, 2010). This pollution has led to breathing problems, heart attacks, cancer and neurological damage. Embracing solar energy is found to reduce premature mortality as well consequently reducing health costs. Essentially, solar energy doesn’t require water to operate, therefore, the processes do not pollute water sources or strain water supply by competing important sectors like agriculture.
Comparing solar technology and fossil fuel technologies (more mechanized and capital intensive), the solar industry creates more jobs. For instance in the United States, renewable technologies including solar harvesting have directly employed more people in various sectors; project development, installation, operation and maintenance, financial and consultation services among others. Apart from job creation, local governments collect taxes from project owners and this can be channeled to important public projects and services especially in the rural communities. Solar energy provides more affordable power compared to fossil fuel electricity. Its implementation can play a key role in the stabilization of energy prices across the globe.
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