Reply #1: There is a company Energy Conversion Devices which has

[JohnWxy]

developed solar "panels" that are made of amorphous silicon alloy a solid material that looks like roofing shingles. They are flexible AND they generate electricity under cloudy conditions and even rainy days! They also generate electricity in less than full sunlight such as the morning hours and late afternoon hours when traditional solar panels generate very little electricity. As a result, over the course of a day or in less than ideal sunny conditions the amorphous silicon alloy flexible solar panels outperform traditional solar panels.

This product was featured recently on Scientific American Frontiers. you can probably find the transcript on PBS.org.

http://www.ovonic.com/index.htm

Compared to traditional crystalline
PVs, ECD Ovonics' thin-film PV can provide
more overall energy since its triple-bandgap
technology can capture 20% more of the
sun's energy.

Our proprietary photovoltaics are:

• Lighter
• More durable
• More attractive

The unique Ovonic technology enables UNI-SOLAR® PV products to be flexible, substantially lighter and more rugged, and a truly building-integrated product — that is, Ovonic PV actually becomes your roof instead of an unsightly array on top of your roof.

Our PV requires much less energy to produce and can be produced in high volumes at significantly lower cost. Unlike many thin-film technologies for producing solar cells, UNI-SOLAR® products are environmentally friendly and are produced without cadmium.

This company is headquartered 'just up the road' from Toledo in a suburb of Detroit MI.