{
  "id": 10192503,
  "title": "New Tin-based Solar Cells Trap Heat 1,000 Times Longer, Could Beat 33% Limit",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/new-tin-based-solar-cells-trap-heat-1-000-times-longer-could-beat-33",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-27T10:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Slashdot",
    "slug": "slashdot",
    "url": "https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/09/26/0716210/new-tin-based-solar-cells-trap-heat-1000-times-longer-could-beat-33-limit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New solar cell technology developed by University of Groningen researchers could shatter the 33% efficiency ceiling for solar panels, according to Interesting Engineering. The team discovered that tin-based perovskite solar cells can retain energy from high-energy hot electrons for up to 1,000 times longer than previously possible. When sunlight strikes a solar panel, photons energize electrons, but these super-charged particles typically dissipate their excess energy as heat almost instantaneously. However, the researchers were able to slow this heat loss by a factor of 1,000 using tin-based perovskite material. This extended energy retention allows the solar cells to capture more of the Sun's energy, potentially boosting overall efficiency beyond the long-held theoretical limit. The key to this breakthrough lies in the unique properties of tin-based metal halide perovskites, which boast an unusually low electron mass. This enables electric charges to move swiftly and retain extra thermal energy for extended periods. While many questions remain to be answered, the researchers believe their discovery could pave the way for the development of more efficient solar cells capable of surpassing the 33% efficiency barrier.",
  "summary": "Could this push solar cell efficiency beyond the theoretical 33% limit? Interesting Engineering reports: Researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands found that tin-based perovskite solar cells can slow heat loss from high-energy \"hot electrons...\" When sunlight strikes a panel, photons jump-start electrons into action. The most energetic photons create super-charged hot…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}