Energy

Mass Production of Plastic Solar Cells

(Page 2 of 2)

  • Friday, October 17, 2008
  • By Kevin Bullis

However, the technology has several drawbacks that will initially limit its applications. The solar cells only last a couple of years, unlike the decades that conventional solar cells last. What's more, the solar cells are relatively inefficient. Conventional solar cells can easily convert 15 percent of the energy in sunlight into electricity; Konarka's cells only convert 3 to 5 percent. As a result, they require much more area to generate electricity, so they're not as attractive as ordinary solar cells for generating electricity on rooftops, where space is limited and the technology's light weight and flexibility aren't needed, says Dana Olson, a research scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in Golden, CO.

At first, Konarka will focus on niche applications such as umbrellas and tents, while working to increase the efficiency of the solar cells to between 7 and 10 percent, at which point the company could compete in cost with conventional sources of electricity, Hess says.

The company plans to gradually ramp up production at its new factory, reaching full capacity in two to three years. Because the solar cells can be made transparent, Konarka is also developing a version of its solar cells that could be laminated to windows to generate electricity and serve as a window tinting.

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camdaddy09

38 Comments

  • 1215 Days Ago
  • 10/17/2008

What is the efficiency ?

I only scanned the article but i never found an efficiency rating, so does anyone know?

Reply

conservo

1 Comment

  • 1215 Days Ago
  • 10/17/2008

Re: What is the efficiency ?

Efficiency is addressed in the first paragraph, second page of the article.

Reply

jwer

7 Comments

  • 1215 Days Ago
  • 10/17/2008

Re: What is the efficiency ?

Or for a more useful answer:

"Conventional solar cells can easily convert 15 percent of the energy in sunlight into electricity; Konarka's cells only convert 3 to 5 percent."

Reply

camdaddy09

38 Comments

  • 1215 Days Ago
  • 10/17/2008

Re: What is the efficiency ?

thanks guys for answering the question i appreciate it.

Reply

magedseoud2

1 Comment

  • 519 Days Ago
  • 09/13/2010

Re: What is the efficiency ?

5%-8% max and research aims to increase to higher

Reply

MakeSense

99 Comments

  • 1214 Days Ago
  • 10/18/2008

Scarce Materials

When I see "dye-sensitized" I think ruthenium, and when I see "organic polymer PV" I think Indium. Those are two of the most scarce elements, and the use of them in these technologies severely limits their ultimate potential. Any increase in demand for these commodities will cause a leap in price as well. I've talked to representatives of several thin-film PV makers, and they seem to agree with me. They don't see limitless quantities of their product being close to practical.

Utlimately, silicon has the greatest supply, the highest efficiency and the best longevity. Ideas that improve efficiency and economics of silicon-based PV would have the greatest impact on our energy supply.

Reply

oxide23

1 Comment

  • 1212 Days Ago
  • 10/20/2008

Re: Scarce Materials

Who makes the most efficient silicon based cells the cheapest? I have heard of companies growing silicon crystals. How does that compare energywise to cutting them?

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mkogrady

425 Comments

  • 1212 Days Ago
  • 10/20/2008

Re: Scarce Materials

Take Senator McCain's idea to build a battery research facility for $300 million and build several polysilicon refineries instead. Then flood the market with cheap taxpayer paid silcon to all the manufacturing companies to drop solar to be really cheap so its affordable to put up on your roofs.

Reply

kunalm

1 Comment

  • 1125 Days Ago
  • 01/15/2009

Re: Scarce Materials

Well, I agree with Indium, but dye-sensitized cells require micro moles of ruthenium per cm^2 and its not expected to be an issue. Anyway, there's some work on organic non-ruthenium based dyes, lets see if that works. 

Reply

hanglider pilot

4 Comments

  • 1051 Days Ago
  • 03/30/2009

Re: Scarce Materials

Would it be possible to "rough up" the surface of the film and lay it out over our highway system? I wonder what the math works out to be square footage wise (for power output). Even if you had to lay down new film every 5 years it would still seem to be a win win. But let me think, 10 billion for a space elevator...nope cant do it better just stick to bailing out rich guys, wouldn't want to see them take any losses on the portfolio's.

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briang1621

173 Comments

  • 1208 Days Ago
  • 10/24/2008

I like the commericalization ideas

I like that they are trying to sell the flexible films for tents and camping equipment. For these application even 3 % efficiency is acceptable if the solar panel can folded or rolled up.
  Work with a small niche application to gain a foot hold and make money, is a great way to fund further development. I have read about many solar firms spending millions in venture funding to make the most efficient solar cells when many times they could sell the product they have to niche applications and make good money to fund their R&D efforts.
Commercialization
Innovation Management 

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Leviticus

1 Comment

  • 858 Days Ago
  • 10/09/2009

Reliability/cost

Has anyone actually tested these devices outside the realm of precious planet achademia?  Specifically what is the expected lifetime on an ordinary customers roof? 

Water damage? Damage from dust, leaves and debris is a problem for a normal composite roof. How will that flimsy plastic endure these hardships?

What about the cost versus conventional technology? (coal,hydro,nuke)

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