Spray-on film turns glass into solar panels

[Ichingcarpenter]

Pushing the envelope on solar panel technology is Norwegian company EnSol, which has patented a prototype thin film solar cell technology designed to be sprayed onto any glass surface. In fact, plans are afoot for a thicker solution to coat exterior walls or be used in the form of "clip-together" solar roof tiles.

If this technology works as planned, it could take away the need to plonk big solar panels on rooftops, particularly in industrial settings.

Unlike traditional silicon-based solar cells, EnSol's film uses metal nanoparticles embedded in a transparent composite matrix. Ensol's collaboration with the University of Leicester's Department of Physics and Astronomy could have the product seeing the commercial light of day by 2016.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20014122-1.html?par...

[aquart]

1. Holy shit.

If it works, they really do need that Nobel Prize.

[blondeatlast]

32. No kidding--this apartment dweller with an western exposure to the AZ sun

WANTS! Oh, yes!

[csziggy]

2. OOOH! I want a version I can spray on my metal roof!

If it were cheap enough, I could coat the entire roof and have lots of solar collection area. That would be wonderful!

[Snotcicles]

25. Not a spray-on but a very cool product and easy to install.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cixR8kfHpo
Full disclosure, I'm a shareholder.

[csziggy]

30. I looked at that when we were building

The local solar distributor said it would not work on the type of metal roof we have - not standing seam, but panels. Aside from that, that distributor was a PITA to deal with, lied on his bid for our solar water heater, delayed installing it, messed up and delayed the invoicing so I could not apply for rebates and tax credits, and so forth.

Since the product is flexible, I don't see why it could not be used on various metal roof surfaces as long as the area is wide enough.

But I have put off solar - we invested the money we had set aside for it into making a better insulated tighter envelope. That has already paid off in savings. I am waiting for the next generation in solar electrical generation. Hopefully it will be cheaper, have less environmental impact for manufacturing, last longer and be more efficient.

[aquart]

34. So glad it's not a spray on.

I had this sudden, horrible vision of teenagers and a brand new high.

[villager]

3. Jesus! Stay out of any private planes en route to "meeting" any power utility execs!

n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

4. More Info and applications of the product

This new technology should also be cheaper to apply than other solar technologies.
“EnSol’s next generation PV cell technology has tremendous potential for industrial scale, low environmental impact, cost effective production via standard “spray on” techniques.

This technology is similar to a SolarFilm nanotechnology being developed by Solaroad Technologies Group in Maryland. SolarFilm would also be sprayed on windows, siding, roads, anything that will receive sunlight or solar radiation. It will be able to take any color or texture to fit in with the building, road, or car.

Neither of these technologies is expected within the next five years although EnSol’s product is expected to hit the market in 2016. Before EnSol will consider its nanosolar film to be marketable it has to reach a 20 percent efficiency. Two years ago the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) achieved a thin film efficiency of 19.9 percent so EnSol’s product needs to at least meet that minimum.

One of the major issues with spray on solar film that will need to be addressed is how to hook it up so that the energy harvested can be converted into electricity. Current solar panels have connections and inverters that allow solar energy to be used either in a building, by batteries, or by the Grid. How do you plug into spray on film technology?

Six years is not that far away so we may be learning the answer relatively soon. These new solar technologies could revolutionize how you paint your house, pick out windows, or renovate. As usual, we’ll see.


http://green.blorge.com/2010/08/ensol-as-and-u-of-leice...

[glitch]

16. Cool. Thanks for the link. nt

[Confusious]

5. Most films like this are only 5% efficient

It could be the wonder everyone thinks it is, but I've heard it too many times before.

[ThomCat]

7. Even with low efficiency,

if it is inexpensive, non-toxic, and biodegradable, this would be Wonderful!

Used in enough places, it would be a great way of getting power from any outdoor surface.

If it expensive, toxic, or non-biodegradable though, then those are going to be some serious obstacles to wide-scale use. It won't be quite the wonder-product people want and hope for.

Let's see what they have to say though. Hope springs eternal.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

29. Since the '70's we've been hearing this. The big difference is that now we have nanotechnology.

Maybe this particular technique will be cost-effective or maybe not. Eventually though the solar holy grail is going to be found. Nanotechnology could end up being the next industrial revolution. The potential of what is feasible is incredible. It will more then likely be the holy grail of cancer and most disease treatment with nanobots attacking cells individually. It may long-term be the holy grail of production where you throw a bunch of nanobots into a box with some raw materials and they assemble whatever you want. The value of production would be the software recipe. It's sounds like sci-fi but this is a realistic possibility. Here's an interesting article about the guy who coined the term nanotechnology and who came up with this idea.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/drexler.html?p...

Unfortunately, I could see in the US that the luddites might win. China or someone else will do it anyways though, grey goo or not.

[Confusious]

33. Nanotech is only in the lab

And just barely. They make little gears, or little balls. It ain't gonna do anything right now.

Science has it's limits.

[Whisp]

6. fricken magic. love it.

[ehrnst]

8. But....isn't Socialism supposed to kill initiative and industriousness? (nt)

[SpiralHawk]

9. Only if Republicon obstructionism don't kill it first

...so THEY say

[ThomWV]

10. Before everyone giggles their way into a fit of agape notice it says "if this works"

See that second paragraph, see what it says in the first 6 words? Now look at the last sentence, the end of of the extract - see that word "could", and the year 2016?

[Ichingcarpenter]

11. It works now but getting it to the 20% threshold is the question

of when.

I suspect we will see it in the future and when we do
it will change architectural design immensely. Maybe we will see
more curved structures.

[malaise]

12. Correct

The most important point is that the Scandinavians are serious about alternative energy sources.

[Greyskye]

17. Except for this part - how do you hook it up?

One of the major issues with spray on solar film that will need to be addressed is how to hook it up so that the energy harvested can be converted into electricity. Current solar panels have connections and inverters that allow solar energy to be used either in a building, by batteries, or by the Grid. How do you plug into spray on film technology?

This seems like a fairly significant milestone that they've yet to achieve.

[Odin2005]

13. This. Is. HUGE.

[DailyGrind51]

14. This is really needed, especially if it is cheaped than silicon roof tiles.

My cousin had silicon tiles installed on his 3-flat, thinking that he would save a lot of ca$h on electric bills, but learned he was only saving enough to operate his water heater. His Federal tax credit helped though.

[GoCubsGo]

15. The History Channel's "Modern Marvels" featured this or a similar product several years ago.

I can't believe we haven't been hearing more about this technology since then.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. I don't think this involves going down to the minimart...

and buying a can of spray-on aerosol solar panel. Like deodorant or spray paint.

I suspect "spray-on" as in an industrial film deposition process.

[TheKentuckian]

19. Beautiful.

[AsahinaKimi]

20. Would be hell on Sunglasses...

right?

[me b zola]

21. Welcome news! n/t

[Tx4obama]

22. The article title is a bit misleading. The guy was on CNN a couple days ago and he said....

that it is not really a spray on, not from an aerosol can.
He said it is more complicated than that - the three layers have to be applied in a vacuum chamber.

[amborin]

23. knr

[Ruby the Liberal]

24. That is incredible.

I guess I am not getting it though. If you put this on your windows, how does it 'connect' with the grid and/or electrical source for off-grid power?

[DirkGently]

26. One to watch. Good find.

[Uncle Joe]

27. Kicked and recommended for research and development.

Thanks for the thread, Ichingcarpenter.

[femrap]

28. This is great news....thx. nt

[BrklynLiberal]

31. cool.....