How next-generation photovoltaics could contribute to electricity storage

<p>Due to the falling price of silicon solar cells, as well as their manageable size, the sight of solar panels on household rooftops has become a familiar one. However, solar energy, as many other sustainable forms of energy, is intermittent. At peak moments, such as on sunny summer days, the grid is flooded with solar energy, while during the evening and in winter, when energy tends to be most in demand, supply is less. In order to secure energy availability on demand, <a href="https://docs.nlr.gov/docs/fy22osti/81779.pdf">storage needs to be integrated into the grid</a>.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.energy.gov/cmei/water/pumped-storage-hydropower">pumped hydroelectric storage</a> plant is one example of widespread technology for storing energy by pumping water from a lower reservoir to a higher one, and electricity is generated on demand by letting the water flow back through turbines. The expansion of these plants, however, is limited by the amount of suitable geographical site