Sharp Corporation has unveiled a new design of an LCD TV that is powered by solar energy. This new prototype 26 inch LCD is powered by a solar panel of size equal to the actual set. The panel used is designed using Sharps “ triple-junction thin-film solar cell module ”. Adds Sharp, “ Thin-film solar cells use significantly less refined silicon than crystalline solar cells, plus the energy used when fabricating the solar cells is lower because of fewer processing steps. And the fact they use no rare or scarce metals, or materials regulated under the RoHS Directive, means they are highly cost-effective and offer a high level of environmental performance “
Sharp claims that as compared to conventional cathode ray tube (CRT) model, this LCD prototype consumes only a quarter of power. Additionally this model provides an alternative to people currently not covered by the conventional power grid , an estimated 1.6 billion people across the globe in geographically inaccessible areas. This is a welcome move which establishes the viability of solar power in consumer electronics. However there remains the challenge of lowering the cost so that it provides a decent value proposition for consumers worldwide.
