Just how flexible can solar cells get??? Thin film solar cell panels are flexible enough to be molded on common building appliances and external structures.Howvwer new research promises to give even more “ flexibility ” by creating liquid solar cells. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and Sumitomo Chemical Company, Japan are working on a method that makes it possible to create molecules in liquid forms that duplicate the solar cell and organic electroluminescence processes that create electricity. These liquid molecules can be spread on textiles in form of a thin organic layer and when the molecules dry they form a permanent covering. When light falls on this surface electricity is produced as in conventional solar cells. In other words you can “ wear ” your power source
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Flexible Solar Panels Get More Mobile
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Mass Production Of Flexible Solar Cells
Srikant RajanKonarka , 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.
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Efficient Solar Power
Srikant RajanGermanium wafer based solar cells provide high efficiency .However raw germanium costs $680 per pound and further more their fabrication leads to lot of material being wasted since germanium is highly brittle.A new wafer slicing method may provide for means to reduce the wastage of material.The new method for slicing solar cell wafers christened as Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) – wastes less germanium and produces more wafers by cutting thin wafers with less waste and cracking . As compared to silicon based solar cells , germanium layered solar cells may used in conjunction with solar concentrators, can provide an efficiency of 40% (nealry double).Translated even a small reduction in fabrication costs of germanium based solar cells can lead to a significant value proposition.
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Ceramic Alternative for Solar Cells
Srikant RajanNo more looking around for silicon for expensive solar cells.Morgan Technical Ceramics , a specialist in engineering of ceramic components is engaging with PV manufacturers across the globe , supplying components for fabricating of both silicon and non-silicon based thin film solar PV cells.Non silicon based thin film Pv are manufactured by a a process similar to the manufacturing of architectural glass.This process involves fused silica rollers that are used to move the hot glass panels through the deposition process. In Thin Film Photovoltaic cells (TFPV) deposition equipment, precursor vapors and gases are transported from a source vessel through a deposition zone onto a heated glass substrate to deposit the PV layer. Morgan Technical Ceramics produces a number of components used in this part of the TFPV process.
The advantage of using silica for manufacturing of TFPV is its high thermal stability and low coefficient of thermal expansion which is advantageous in high temperature manufacturing process.The use of ceramics my make it possible to reduce the overall cost of manufacturing TFPVs thus , making them a viable alternative to conventional power sources.
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Solar Power Goes Nano
Srikant RajanNow solar goes miniature.scientists at US Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory ,are working to create flexible plastic sheets containing billions of nanoantenna arrays.These would work as an interface for tapping in heat generated by the sun and also heat generated by working of electronic equipment.These nanoantenna’s also act as a medium for cooling of such devices without using any electricity.Essentially these nanoantenna’s absorb the infra red rays given, and reemit them as energy of harmless wavelengths.Lead researcher,Steven Novack says “ Every process in our industrial world creates waste heat . It’s energy that we just throw away “.Novack further adds that such sheets might power common appliances such as hybrid cars and ipods.
The process is unique , however for this to work efficiently the heat drawn from the appliances must be at a constant temperature which in practice is difficult to achieve.The greater heat is drawn ,more the likelihood of decrease in temperature which in turn may lower the efficiency of the device.
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Crystalline Solar Cells Get $9.5 Million
Srikant RajanYet another solar startup has plans to unveil the “ god" “ of solar cells.Wakonda Technologies has secured $9.5 million to pursue the development of solar power.Wakonda plans to advance crystalline solar technology to produce cells that offer 30 % energy conversion efficiency(yes that is three and zero kind!)Essentially , Wakonda plans to use the crystals used in high end satellites , strip them down and put them back together using inexpensive materials.Thus maintaining the performance level and cutting down the costs significantly.Wakonda an NREL award recipient , describes this technology as “ virtual single crystal (that) uses a proprietary surface treatment that allows a low cost, commercial metal foil to simulate an expensive single crystal wafer “
Most of the money in the market is being directed towards thin film solar cells that are inexpensive , but low on efficiency.Another technology is the concentrated solar power technology which has slowly been gaining momentum.However Wakonda’s approach aims at a sizable improvement in efficiency ( not just a couple of points ) and may just result in a breakthrough.
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Forget Silicon For Solar Cells, Look For Gases !
Srikant RajanSilicon costs are a major contributor to expensive solar cells. However manufacturing processes and inputs such as industrial gases also add to the cost of manufacture significantly ,especially when the volume of production is large. Gases such as silane and nitroflouride make nearly 17 % of silicon thin film manufacturing cost . The Linde group says that alteration of the gases in manufacturing process might lead to millions in savings particularly at high volume manufacturing. Anish Tolia, market development manager for gas supplier Linde , predicts that gas-related improvements could directly cut costs by 8 cents per watt. Additionally the gases could also increase speed of production could reduce another of 5 cents per watt, .Tolia adds, “ Even if it’s a few cents per watt, at the 1-gigawatt scale, we’re talking about real money "
Altering manufacturing inputs makes sense too as the demand for inputs is bound to increase dramatically. Silane in particular is expected to be in high demand with the plethora of manufacturing facilities being planned across the globe. Anticipating this high demand , Linde group is planning a new Silane plant expected to begin production in early 2009.
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Bulky Solar Collectors May Be a Thing of Past
Srikant RajanSolar technology is fast emerging as a preferred alternative for powering residential and commercial units. Now , in addition to improving performance , solar developers are also working to increase the aesthetic appeal of solar power units. Sunpower , is designing solar panels that can be integrated with flat and curved roof tiles . Construction and installation is done in a manner to maintain the aesthetic appeal of homes. Lumeta, a division of DRI energy also has similar panels currently in final stages of industry certification. The technology employed in such panels is thin film solar technology that provides flexibility in engineering.
This move by solar developers signals the beginning of mass adoption of solar power. According to Solar Energy Industry Association estimates , the number of solar installations in US has increased by 45% to nearly 150 MW in 2007. Additionally the total solar capacity of 3,400 MW, excluding pool or lighting systems, is less than 1 percent of U.S. annual use IN 2007 , and provides enough room for further growth.
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Intel Adds to its Solar Capabilities
Srikant RajanIntel Capital has invested € 24 million in Sulfurcell, , a manufacturer of thin film solar modules.This new investment would be used by Sulfurcell to expand its Berlin plants production capacity.Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital and Intel executive vice president says “ Cleantech investments worldwide, including solar power generation, are a key focus for Intel Capital, particularly in the wake of global warming concerns and rising energy costs for businesses and consumers . By investing selectively in innovative technologies, such as those delivered by Sulfurcell, we further the viability of alternative energy options and help increase adoption while reducing carbon emissions “
Intel has been selectively strengthening its solar capability . It had recently put up another couple of millions for a startup – SpectraWatt,however did not reveal the nature of the technology it plans to pursue.This latest foray in the solar segment indicates that it might be thin film solar technology and also signifies that thin film solar may hold the key for adoption of solar panels on a widespread basis.
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Solar Power for Consumer Electronics
Srikant RajanSharp 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.
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