Summary:
- The article discusses the development of a new type of solar cell that can generate electricity from raindrops. This technology, called "photovoltaic-thermoelectric" (PV-TE) cells, can produce power even in cloudy or rainy conditions.
- The PV-TE cells use the temperature difference between the raindrops and the solar cell surface to generate electricity, in addition to the energy generated from the sunlight. This allows the cells to continue producing power even when it's raining.
- Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have demonstrated a prototype of the PV-TE cell that can generate up to 6.5 watts of power per square meter, a significant improvement over traditional solar cells that struggle to produce power in wet conditions.