Konarka , a solar cell startup based in Lowell has opened a commercial production facility for flexible solar cells with a capacity1 GW, the equivalent of a large nuclear reactor .The flexible solar cells reduce the cost of solar power by using organic polymers as opposed to expensive silicon.The processing of these polymers can be done by using low cost equipment such as ink-jet printers.Konarka’s products could be used in a variety of applications such as laptop recharge, external tents.A company is presently testing the viability of Konarka’s cells for use in umbrellas for outdoor tables at restaurants.
