Solar flow battery

Abstract

A solar flow battery comprising: a positive compartment containing at least one positive electrode in contact with a positive electrolyte containing a first redox active molecule; a negative compartment containing at least one negative electrode in contact with a negative electrolyte containing a second redox active molecule, wherein said first and second redox active molecules remain dissolved in solution when changed in oxidation state; at least one of said negative or positive electrodes comprises a semiconductor light absorber; electrical communication means between said electrodes and an external load for directing electrical energy into or out of said solar flow battery; a separator component that separates the positive and negative electrolytes while permitting the passage of non-redox-active species; and means for establishing flow of the positive and negative electrolyte solutions past respective electrodes. Methods of using the solar flow battery for storing and releasing electrical energy are also described.