Peel-and-Stick Solar Cells Created At Stanford University 46
cylonlover writes "Traditionally, thin-film solar cells are made with rigid glass substrates, limiting their potential applications. Flexible versions do exist, although they require special production techniques and/or materials. Now, however, scientists from Stanford University have created thin, flexible solar cells that are made from standard materials – and they can applied to just about any surface, like a sticker. The cells have been successfully applied to a variety of both flat and curved surfaces – including glass, plastic and paper – without any loss of efficiency. Not only does the new process allow for solar cells to applied to things like mobile devices, helmets, dashboards or windows, but the stickers are reportedly both lighter and less costly to make than equivalent-sized traditional photovoltaic panels. There's also no waste involved, as the silicon/silicon dioxide wafers can be reused."
Retrofitting (Score:5, Insightful)
Don't you worry, never fear, robin hood will soon (Score:5, Insightful)
"Dah, Don't you worry, never fear, robin hood will soon be here"
Bugs: "Yeah, yeah, yeah, you'd been sayin' dat all trew da' pitchure... Well, WHERE IS HE?"
This is how I feel about Solar Cells. EVERY DAMN WEEK, another "breakthrough" that will make then cheap, ubiquitous, flexible, transparent, more efficient, etc. etc.
Yet, when I go shopping for a solar panel, all I get is the same old crap, and it's still crazy expensive.
All I ever hear is that they are coming to market "soon". And that was already 5 years ago. Frankly, next week I wouldn't be surprised if we heard about solar panels with 100% efficiency and only cost 10 cents. But you'd never be able to actually BUY them in your lifetime.
How's that ultracapacitor technology going for you? Or the Batteries that run on air?
Re:Don't you worry, never fear, robin hood will so (Score:3, Insightful)
Chinese market dumping helps too.