Researchers have developed a new manufacturing method which could bring down the cost of making a type of solar cell.
A team at Liverpool University has found a way of replacing the toxic element in the process with a material found in bath salts.
The scientists say that this could have a “massive, unexpected cost benefit”.
Dr Jon Major, who led the research said that his team’s work might be the development that brings the cost down to the level of fossil fuel,” More than 90% of the solar cells are made from silicon. Around 7% are made from a material called cadmium telluride. The cadmium telluride cells are thinner than silicon and these are popular because they are also lighter and cheaper.
Toxic ingredient They have the drawback that a toxic chemical, cadmium chloride, is needed to manufacture them. Cadmium chloride is also expensive.
Dr Major discovered that a cheaper, non-toxic alternative, magnesium chloride, could be used instead of the toxic compound and work just as well.
Magnesium chloride is completely safe. It is used to make tofu and is found in bath salts. It also extracted from sea water and so is a small fraction of the price of cadmium chloride.
