Find Us

5 Headerquarters

4545 Fuller Dr. Suite 412
Irving, TX 75038
Phone: (972) 445-9584
Toll Free: (855) 275-3483
Fax: (855) 329-3493
email5@energyby5.com

5- Northeast

865 State Route 33
Ste 3 PMB 1077
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: (732) 774-0005
Fax: (855) 329-3483
email5@energyby5.com

5- Mexico

CP 11000, Miguel Hidalgo
CDMX, Mexico
Phone: +5595287982
mexico@energyby5.com

LEARN

Category: Newsletters

Factoid: 'Nerds' Breakthrough Cloudy Skies with Bacteria-Powered Solar

August 6, 2018

Written By: Luthin Associates

LA_Confidential_Nerds_Edition

Solar power is a renewable choice that many of our clients have embraced as part of a slew of solutions to lower their carbon footprint.  However, what happens when it’s cloudy outside, and the sun does not shine?  Bacteria-powered solar cells may be the solution!

Researchers (Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava, Przemyslaw Piwek, Sonal R. Ayakar, Arman Bonakdarpour, David P. Wilkinson, and Vikramaditya G. Yadav) from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have created bacteria-powered solar cells (i.e. biogenic cells) that work efficiently in dim and bright light. Meanwhile, prior attempts from other research through the extraction of light-sensitive dye from genetically modified bacteria proved to be costly and complex.

The UBC researchers used E. coli genetically engineered to produce an abundance of lycopene (a molecule that gives tomatoes their orange/red tint), which is a sufficient natural dye and is excellent at collecting sunlight. The team coated the E.coli in a mineral that can be used as a semiconductor and applied the bacteria/mineral blend to a glass surface to generate their biogenic solar cell. Professor Vikramaditya Yadav, the project leader, said they recorded the highest current density for a biogenic solar cell. The research has been published in the most recent edition of the journal Small.

Although this innovative technology shows promise, there are still glitches to be worked out. Unfortunately, it seems that bacteria do not survive the process. The key involves finding a process that does not kill the bacteria, so they can produce dye indefinitely. If the glitches in the technology can be fixed cloudy days may allow us to shine a bit brighter with solar power.

Source: Bacteria-Powered Solar Cells Make Electricity Even With Cloudy Skies

Other Recent Posts

Featured Image
2 min read

Why the Name 5

By 5
May 15, 2025

We spend most of our lives in classes, sports and jobs that reinforce the need to look good and to be right, often at the expense of others. Many of our relationships become a zero-sum game; for me to... READ MORE >
Featured Image
7 min read

Actions to Take Today: Navigating Volatility in U.S. Energy Markets

By 5
May 9, 2025

From tariffs and recession risks to renewables and rising demand, this article outlines actionable procurement strategies tailored to today’s evolving energy landscape. READ MORE >
Featured Image
4 min read

What a 5X Increase in PJM Capacity Costs Means For Your Electric Bill

By 5
April 28, 2025

Capacity costs in the PJM Interconnection cleared at unprecedented levels in the latest auction. As shown below in Figure 1, the cost of capacity increased in many parts of PJM by 5x. While this chart... READ MORE >