A scientist has developed a new technique that can reduce the amount of platinum needed in the creation of photovoltaic cells.

Professor Arie Zaban, head of Bar-Ilan University's nanotechnology institute in Israel, has revealed that platinum nanodots can be used on the cells to turn solar power into electricity.

This has reduced the amount of platinum used in the development of photovoltaic cells and means that the cost of solar panels can also be cut.

"Cost is an important factor in the success of any solar technology," Professor Zaban explained to the Jerusalem Post.

He added: "To become widely adopted, solar cells must generate electricity at lower cost than what we now spend on fossil fuels."

He said that the use of platinum nanodots can cut the amount of platinum needed "by a factor of 40", thereby significantly reducing the cost of producing solar power.

Sources:

Bar-Ilan scientist invents cheaper way to produce electricity, 3/09/07
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1188392526527&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

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