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Eco Factor: Flexible organic solar cell modules showcased at PV EXPO 2009.
The race to develop the most efficient and the trendiest solar cells began with the development of Grätzel solar modules, which proved that solar cells can be much more than the black panels not many like to place on their rooftops. Taking the race a lap further, US-based Konarka Technologies has exhibited a new range of flexible thin-film solar cells at the 2nd International Photovoltaic Power Generation Expo.
The company’s latest developments include translucent solar cells among a new range of flexible solar modules manufactured by the roll-to-roll process. Being flexible and easy to integrate in a variety of objects, Konarka showcased the cells as integrated in bags and used as a power source of an electronic paper. For Konarka there is no stopping there, as the company plans to introduce “completely transparent” solar cells by this year’s end.
The Dark Side:
The efficiency of the solar cells is questionable, as the company is claiming that their newest modules feature an energy conversion efficiency of just 4%. That means they can just convert 4% of the light they receive into useful electricity. We expect the figure to be even lower for transparent modules that will be launched sometime later this year.
The race to develop the most efficient and the trendiest solar cells began with the development of Grätzel solar modules, which proved that solar cells can be much more than the black panels not many like to place on their rooftops. Taking the race a lap further, US-based Konarka Technologies has exhibited a new range of flexible thin-film solar cells at the 2nd International Photovoltaic Power Generation Expo.
The company’s latest developments include translucent solar cells among a new range of flexible solar modules manufactured by the roll-to-roll process. Being flexible and easy to integrate in a variety of objects, Konarka showcased the cells as integrated in bags and used as a power source of an electronic paper. For Konarka there is no stopping there, as the company plans to introduce “completely transparent” solar cells by this year’s end.
The Dark Side:
The efficiency of the solar cells is questionable, as the company is claiming that their newest modules feature an energy conversion efficiency of just 4%. That means they can just convert 4% of the light they receive into useful electricity. We expect the figure to be even lower for transparent modules that will be launched sometime later this year.
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