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Researchers Print Solar Panels With Ink-Jets
On Tuesday, Konarka Technologies Inc. announced the first successful demonstration of ink-jet-based solar cell printing. Yes, you read correctly -- the same technology used to print your papers and pictures is being used to make the cells in panels used for solar energy.
The ink-jets used in the new process are more advanced and require more expensive electronic ink, of course, but using them for solar-panel printing will allow scientists to print flexible solar cells without the high costs of current methods (cutting silicon into paper-thin panels and then covering it with conductive materials). Rick Hess, president and CEO of Konarka, calls this "an essential breakthrough in the field for printed solar cells."
If this technology catches on, we can look forward to seeing more solar-paneled products in the future.
From Engadget
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Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsDeborahMar 6th 2008 9:30PM
Dude! Whoever invented the inkjet printer needs to be canonized or something!
They've actually printed a heart valve b4! Anyone have the link?
KipMar 10th 2008 10:24AM
What a GREAT idea!- Can you imagine having the paint on your car contribute electricity for propulsion? This could be a great source of recharge for hybrid automobile technology.
AaronMar 17th 2008 4:59PM
I saw this nearly a year ago (maybe not that long) on the science channel and was amazed. According to everything i see on line, which isn't much there are nearly as efficient as silicon panels but on the show they said they are better. Regardless, the applications for these is endless. Another leap in the green energy race is the aluminum-gallium alloy that converts water into hydrogen. Why are we still using fossil fuels?
Gail RuschOct 24th 2008 6:19PM
If this can be done on panels, what about cars? Can they be painted with this ink?
What about jackets that keep you warm, coated with this ink?
Is this stuff good on anything else? If it is, I can see its use as unlimited. We could keep individuals warm & cool, and leave the buildings at room temperature.
Bill G.Nov 15th 2008 12:58PM
This is truly the holy grail in bringing Solar to the masses! Unfortunately the masses may never be allowed direct access to this technology. Power and Oil companies are currently consuming as much product as they can possibly buy, effectively preventing the masses from gaining any access to this technology.
The planet may get greener but the end consumer will most likely be priced out of on site production. The massive amounts of money utilities are willing to pour into purchasing product, prevents any incentive to be price competitive. Konarka had predicted being able to drop production costs to .10 cents a watt in just a couple of years. That price drop means absolutely nothing if you can't gain access to the product.