Roll-Up Solar Cells Printed Like Money

[dracodraconis]

Roll-Up Solar Cells Printed Like Money

Australian researchers are using a printing press formerly used to print Australian currency (which is plastic, not paper) to make flexible solar cells. The solar cells are currently only 3% efficient but they hope to reach 10% efficiency eventually. The long-term goal is to integrate solar cells into construction material so that the very materials used to build a house are used to generate electricity. Current,y, solar energy requires additional support structures so can substantially increase the construction cost.

Comments

[randomposting.livejournal.com]

Geez! That is freakin' smart!!!

[dracodraconis.livejournal.com]

Seems a logical solution to the current problem. Solar energy has high entry barrier (cost), but if if can be reduced by building it into the housing cost then more people should be able to use it, reducing slightly their personal drain on the grid. Now we just need a wide implementation of "smart grids" to handle these fluctuating sources.

[randomposting.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I suppose the smart grids will be the hardest part. Because so many people are resistant to this, and still don't believe that they need to change the way they live. This mindset is of course a lot worse with Americans. lol