Beans Used to Make Solar Panel Component

Castor beans are being used by a company in California called Biosolar to make a backing material for solar panel technology. Both production and sales of their product, (named BioBacksheet) commenced very recently. A backsheet is simply a thin layer of material used as the side of a solar panel module, which holds the other components. They estimate their biobacksheets can save up to 50 percent of production costs because of the way they use castor beans instead of petroleum-based plastic or stainless steel as conventional backing products do.

One target is the solar thin film technology, which requires a backing material or substrate often in a laminated form. The company also wants to create a bio-based superstrate, or top layer material for thin solar panel technology manufacturers. Currently the top layer of such technology is glass, or some kind of clear plastic.

Dr David Lee, CEO of BioSolar, stated: ‘We have finally completed the development of the world’s first commercial grade green backsheet and are ramping up production and are able to accept and fulfill orders.’ Their bean-based material also uses a second material, and it is also not made from petroleum. They say the goals of having a cheaper, and less environmentally hazardous product have been met.

India is the largest producer of castor beans in the world. In Brazil the oil is used to make biodiesel. Castor oil is also used in lubricants, paints, brake fluid, and many other products. Castor seeds do, however, contain the natural toxin Ricin, and field workers who handle the beans and plants are known to suffer some health problems.

Read more: Green, alternative energy, castor beans, solar