Solar Cells Power Portable Electronic Devices
Solar Technology May Be the Next Clean, Affordable Energy Source
Feb 28, 2009
Original solar cells were based on fragile silicon wafers, which makes production difficult, limiting, expensive, and energy intensive. Thin film solar cells were introduced as a more durable, less expensive option. Although more durable, the energy efficiency of the film is less than the silicon wafers and the materials possibly toxic - not a cradle-to-cradle solution. The latest solar technologies offer higher-efficiencies and are more economical. Many types of materials are being researched including organic alternatives and titanium dioxide.
Organic Plastic Solar Cells From Konarka Technologies
Konarka Technologies is one company moving into mass production of plastic solar cells this year. Konarka's photovoltaic cells, that can be bonded to almost any surface, are lightweight and flexible which makes them ideal for charging cellphones, laptops, or iPods on the go. According to Kevin Bulis in the October 17, 2008 Technology Review article "Mass Production of Plastic Solar Cells," Konarka opened a factory large enough to produce enough organic solar cells every year to generate one gigawatt of electricity. One of the first products targeted to use Konarka's cells will be briefcases coated on the outside with a film of the organic solar cells that charge the laptop within. Konarka doesn't require specialized equipment to make the cells, says Bulis. They modified equipment formerly used to make film for medical imaging into equipment that now produces solar cells and allows the company to scale up production at one-tenth the cost.
Solar Technology From Solarmer Energy Converts Sunlight Into Electricity
Another company developing plastic solar cells for portable electronics is Solarmer Energy, Inc. Incorporating technology invented at the University of Chicago, their product is a cell that measures eight square inches and is expected to be eight percent energy efficient, according to the February 16, 2009 ScienceDaily article, "Plastic Solar Cells for Portable Electronic Devices Coming Soon." The new technology uses a new semiconducting material called PTB1, which converts sunlight into electricity. The active layer of PTB1, according to the article, "is a mere 100 nanometers thick, the width of approximately 1,000 atoms." Solarmer Energy plans to have a commercial-trade prototype later this year.
Cell Energy Efficiency Still Limited
Unfortunately, these newer plastic solar cells heading to market do not last as long as the earlier solar cells, lasting only a few years compared to the decades of the conventional silicon-based solar cells. They are also not as energy efficient yet, only converting up to six percent of the energy in sunlight to electricity, compared to conventional solar cells which convert 15%, according to Bulis. But as technology continues to blaze forward, the future looks bright for low-cost, flexible solar cells.
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