Experts from the University of Illinois have produced a manufacturing technique that could enable transparent solar modules to be printed onto flexible substrates using monocrystalline silicon, potentially paving the way for windows capable of generating solar power.
The research team, which published its findings in the latest issue of Nature Materials, has developed a way to create flexible solar surfaces using thin slices of common monocrystalline silicon material that are lifted off with a stamp and transferred to a substrate.
Unlike conventional solar panels, the transfer printing method used to produce the cells results in a thickness of around 100 nanometres.
"The efficiency of the microcells that we make now is about 12 per cent," said John A. Rogers, founder professor of materials science and engineering and a professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois. "This value is achieved with monocrystalline silicon as the active material, but with otherwise very simple designs.
"More advanced cell designs - such as anti-reflection coatings and light-trapping structures - that are already proven for conventional bulk cells should be applicable to our microcells. If that turns out to be the case, 20 per cent to 22 per cent efficiencies should be possible."
The ability to choose the spacing of cells in solar arrays will make it possible to alter the transparency of solar modules produced using the design, according to Rogers, which could open up applications for building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) systems.
"Flexible PV, in general, is quite attractive for integration on building rooftops and outer structural surfaces," he said. "Semitransparency enables integration with architectural or automotive glass."
Rogers is a co-founder of Semprius, a startup company that hopes to use similar semiconductor printing technology to produce thin semiconductor surfaces on various substrates. The company has highlighted flexible displays as a potential application for its technology.
National Semiconductor claims new device will automatically optimise solar cells in shaded conditions, improving energy output for some rooftop arrays by up to 30 per cent 26 Nov 2008
Solar PV manufacturer claims new chemistry makes $1 per watt solar modules possible within two years 14 Nov 2008
Fraunhofer Institute team stake claim for world solar record with gallium indium-based cells 19 Jan 2009
New PV solar farm to provide enough power for more than 11,000 households 05 Jun 2009
Emergence of solar tiles, cladding and windows to drive 15-fold expansion in $528m market 25 Jul 2008
Survey of public sector IT managers reveals deep concern over ability to deliver on carbon-neutral targets 03 Jul 2009
Fresh funding will provide new wave energy research equipment and support research 03 Jul 2009
EPA hints it could soon raise efficiency bar for routers, modems and storage systems 03 Jul 2009
More news
From record-breaking solar panels to the International Renewable Energy Agency's new home, we round up the top stories from the past week 03 Jul 2009
Well, I hope they got a no win, no fee deal. I don't like being cynical (it's more of a congenital thing)... 03 Jul 2009
Recycling waste heat is nothing new, so why has the computer industry not kept up? 01 Jul 2009 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
