Researchers at the University of Surrey believe they have found a way to increase the efficiency of solar panels, with the potential of developing a low cost, lightweight renewable energy source.

Reported in the journal Advanced Materials, the University’s Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) says it has discovered a method of increasing the efficiency of solar cells by using nanotubes – structures that are typically ten thousandth the width of a human hair.

Incorporating nanotubes into an ultra thin charge donor-acceptor organic material blend significantly increases the photo-generated charge transfer from the solar cell the electric circuit, the ATI said.

“The main obstacle for this approach has been the deleterious effects associated with incorporating the nanotubes,” said Professor Ravi Silva, director of the ATI and co-author. “We have adopted a method to alter the outer tube of the multi-wall nanotube so that they can be mixed well in organic materials with suitable solvents.”

Lead researcher on the team, Dr Damitha Adkiaari said the approach would be adaptable to a large number of systems, including LEDs and other photonic systems.