The first indoor solar panels transform light from light bulbs

The first indoor solar panels have been created, capable of efficiently converting light from light bulbs into electricity . The technology is described in the journal Apl Energy and was developed under the guidance of Fang-Chung Chen of the University of Taiwan, to charge small devices such as remote controls or toys .

For years, work has been done to develop a new generation of solar panels that are lighter and more flexible than traditional ones, and the most promising solution is the so-called perovskite panels, named after the key material used to transform light energy into electricity. However, there are some obstacles, such as the scalability of production methods, which still limit their diffusion. New potential applications of perovskite panels now come from the study of Taiwanese researchers, who have managed to calibrate the panels to make them work best in low-light situations.

Sunlight produces an average amount of light (more precisely, illumination) of about 12,000 lux, and it is precisely on this amount of light that traditional solar panels are developed. The new cells have instead been designed to best transform a much weaker intensity of light , such as that produced by interior lighting. The new panels have a very high efficiency , of almost 40% , with an illumination of just 2,000 lux. A feature, the authors of the research note, that opens new horizons for the use of this type of flexible solar panels that could be integrated to power electronic devices used in the home.