Paint on Solar Cells
posted by: Jasmine G. 25 days ago
Jasmine Greene
Solar panels have been around for years, however the installation and cost have been one of the downfalls of this technology, especially for home owners and construction companies. However there are several options for paint-on solar cells. Swansea University has developed a paint-on solar cell that can be applied to steel during the manufacturing process. Another group of scientists have created spray-on solar cells made with a plastic composite that can collect both the visible and infrared spectrum.
Swansea University's paint-on solar cells have the same capability as silicon solar panel, and is based on dye-sensitised molecules of titanium dioxide pigment.
"The pigment catalyzes the release of electrons from the substrate towards the electrolyte layer which collects them, thus delivering power into an electronic circuit before returning to the titanium dioxide pigment." [Source: Softpedia]
According to the scientists at Swansea, the paint is better at catching low-light radiation, making it good for countries like the UK. The university is working in conjunction with Corus Colours (the leading steel producers in the UK), to produce solar-painted flexible steel at a rate of 30-40m2 a minute. Currently, Corus produces 100 million square meters of steel a year. Should all of the produced steel have solar paint on them, they can generate as much electricity as 50 wind farms [Source: Swansea]. By integrating solar cells into the very infrastructure of buildings and cars, Corus and Swansea can change the way many people view construction and automotive companies.
Besides Swansea, other scientists have also introduced solar paint. A group of researchers, including Ted Sargent, have created spray-on solar paint. Created from a plastic material, this composite can be sprayed onto other materials and used as portable electricity. While using plastic to capture solar energy is not new, this particular composite is one of the few solar cells that captures both visible and infrared light [Source: National Geographic]. One of the main advantages of the spray-on paint versus the paint only applied to steel is that there is more portability in the electricity. For example: articles of clothes sprayed with the composite can harness the energy and wirelessly charge electronics. These solar cells could also significantly reduce the cost of buying solar energy and displace power plants that emit greenhouse gases, like coal factories.
The advancement in technology has greatly increased the accessibility and decreased the cost of sustainable energy. With the addition of two different types of solar paint, we can continue towards a more sustainable future.
Swansea University's paint-on solar cells have the same capability as silicon solar panel, and is based on dye-sensitised molecules of titanium dioxide pigment.
"The pigment catalyzes the release of electrons from the substrate towards the electrolyte layer which collects them, thus delivering power into an electronic circuit before returning to the titanium dioxide pigment." [Source: Softpedia]
According to the scientists at Swansea, the paint is better at catching low-light radiation, making it good for countries like the UK. The university is working in conjunction with Corus Colours (the leading steel producers in the UK), to produce solar-painted flexible steel at a rate of 30-40m2 a minute. Currently, Corus produces 100 million square meters of steel a year. Should all of the produced steel have solar paint on them, they can generate as much electricity as 50 wind farms [Source: Swansea]. By integrating solar cells into the very infrastructure of buildings and cars, Corus and Swansea can change the way many people view construction and automotive companies.
Besides Swansea, other scientists have also introduced solar paint. A group of researchers, including Ted Sargent, have created spray-on solar paint. Created from a plastic material, this composite can be sprayed onto other materials and used as portable electricity. While using plastic to capture solar energy is not new, this particular composite is one of the few solar cells that captures both visible and infrared light [Source: National Geographic]. One of the main advantages of the spray-on paint versus the paint only applied to steel is that there is more portability in the electricity. For example: articles of clothes sprayed with the composite can harness the energy and wirelessly charge electronics. These solar cells could also significantly reduce the cost of buying solar energy and displace power plants that emit greenhouse gases, like coal factories.
The advancement in technology has greatly increased the accessibility and decreased the cost of sustainable energy. With the addition of two different types of solar paint, we can continue towards a more sustainable future.
Read more: environment & wildlife, solar cells, solar paint, paint on solar cell
comments
Evolution will eventually remedy birds colliding with the blades.
What is more unsightly, windmills or darkened cities?
BTW, Evolution will not eventually take care of recreational light aircraft and parachutists from collision with the blades.
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On the issue of wind turbines, why can't the manufactures create a cage around the blades that would prevent wildlife from entering them? Surely there must be a way to shield them with out detracting from their efficiency. If anyone comes up with one it would change them into a 100% eco friendly solution.
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Well, my country (Uruguay) is almost empty and VERY windy, so wind turbines are more than welcome here (I don't find them ugly either, though I understand they may be dangerous for birds).
I loved this article about solar paint, though! Yay for clean energy!!
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Wind farms are effective and good IF PLACED PROPERLY. And I don't find them ug(g)ly at all; I see them and think "Hey! Wind power! What a wonderful thing!" as opposed to the apprehension I feel when I've passed nuclear plants. You know, not everyone has that much sunshine...some people live in very windy places...I don't remember who it was, but I heard a Great Plains tribe was looking into starting a wind farm for power of their own and power to sell. Perfectly good if those big flat stretches of _nothingness_ don't interfere with bird migrations.
I DO, however, applaud this and hope to see this put onto existing Big Glass Box buildings, finally enabling them to pull their part/pay their own way :-)
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Geraldine, I think you are right. The future is solar. The wind turbines are not only uggly, that woldnt be that bad after all, but they are dangerous for the ecosystem. Ironical, isnt it? Well, if they are not well managed they are placed exactely, in the way of the migratory birds! And we dont know well their ways, especialy since the scientists recently observed some slight or significant changes in the old travel routes. On the other hand, bat conservationists are puzzled by the fact that bats cant avoid the wind turbines, and they go streight to then. This causes the death of many birds and of a substantial procent of bats. Solar would be the real eco-friendly alternative.
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Geraldine, I think you are right. The future is solar. The wind turbines are not only uggly, that woldnt be that bad after all, but they are dangerous for the ecosystem. Ironical, isnt it? Well, if they are not well managed they are placed exactely, in the way of the migratory birds! And we dont know well their ways, especialy since the scientists recently observed some slight or significant changes in the old travel routes. On the other hand, bat conservationists are puzzled by the fact that bats cant avoid the wind turbines, and they go streight to then. This causes the death of many birds and of a substantial procent of bats. Solar would be the real eco-friendly alternative.
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Very exciting technology. I believe solar is the way to go and would love to utilise this new product. Wind farms are ugly and not that productive.
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Between this and the super insulation used on the space shuttle it will revolutionize the way we build and retrofit all buildings, and vehicles.There are lots of new things being experimented with that also clean up polution in the air, soil and water.Enough of the gloom and doom, oh things will never change. Change is the only thing you can count on so lets get on with reclaiming our planet from the spoilers.
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wonderful wave of the future :-))
painted / metalic solar panels, ecomically sound, & cost effective!! Eager to paint my roof, or find those metal sheets!! How easy is it to collect the energy into cells, and use for water/ lights/ heating??
This technology in deserts of south west usa, and places like india & africa can be tremendous, giving electricity/ fan/ even frig and Air conditionining to those who havent seen light at night, still relying on candles, & oil lamps, or the moon!!
Still the number of environmentally conscious supportors, willing to go the extra mile, spending more for the technology, may be limited. It may need govt mandate, or state law to force all new construction to have certain %tage, green. & if they cant contribute their share, perhaps make them purchase it from their neighbors who do extra-solar panels, water recycling, waste recycling, recycled tiles/ marbles/ glass, etc.
The State must get involved, encouraging everything green with an incentives and penalties system, at least for big companies.
We ask OBAMA, to look into the matter!! IF anyone can instrument change, he can...
Shailja M MD
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I think this is great hope I get to see this happen .the way people poke along and hold out for more money we just might sacrifice our climate for this great peice of technolodgy .Laura
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