Harvesting energy from light and water droplets by covering photovoltaic cells with transparent polymers

• Harvesting energy from light and water drops simultaneously using hidden or transparent front-electrode. Highest photovoltaic performance with surface charge transfer, lowest electrostatic induction electrode. Curved electrodes allow easy removal of drops. Energy harvesting sunlight is often done cells covered by a protective layer polymer glass. Currently, this does not have any other function than being protective, but its functionality could be improved in fact contribute to electrical the environment. This work reports new findings on integration silicon-based solar droplet device based contact electrification readily available materials. The utilizes front flat curved geometries increase power output due droplets while at same time minimizing loss cell. Three different designs are designed tested, advantages disadvantages outlined. Particular emphasis put investigating cell design that exhibited largest impact. efficiency commercial about 4.4%, whereas for it 0.6%. relative contributions two mechanisms analyzed, possible applications