Powerfilm Thin Film Solar

Powerfilm manufactures flexible solar film, applied in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) to generate solar electricity from the vertical faces of buildings or windows. Flexible solar film is also a great innovation for bus shelters roofs and golf cart canopies.

Flexible thin film solar rolls, as shown to the left, are less expensive and just as efficient as other PV panels.  Roll-to-roll manufacturing is akin to newspaper printing and can produce long continuous strips.

PowerFilm will produce 1 meter wide and up to 2400 feet long strips. The interconnection between the transistors is made fully automatic on the machine, eliminating the cost and quality issues with manual interconnection. The substrate is made of polyimide and can be encapsulated in a variety of materials depending on the end application and environmental conditions.

PowerFilm flexible solar electronic technology includes fabric or fiberglass backing for easy installation of the thin film solar panels.

Powerfilm licensed technology for self aligning imprint lithography from HP for the development of the backplane, which took  5 years of research and development. Flexible displays are useful for large outdoor advertising displays, e-book readers and other applications, where the lower cost and the self-power feature of this thin film solar application would be helpful.

Peel and stick solar panels have a broad range of applications

Looking for the next big thing in solar energy?  Peel and stick solar panels use thin film solar technology that allows a broad range of applications, as well as cost significantly less than traditional silicon PV solar panels.

The cost savings come in large part due to the fact that the solar cells do not need glass-covered panels or mounting frames.  Not only does that save money, but it also gives peel and stick solar panels a sleek, less noticeable appearance.  Stick on solar panels are making their way into building integrated photovoltaics like solar power shingles.  Made to look like traditional roof shingles, the thin film PV cells generate clean solar electricity for your home without having to penetrate your roof for brackets and frames.

Among several companies manufacturing peel and stick solar panels is Global Solar Energy Inc.  Their product is called the PowerFLEX BIPV, which are being ordered in large quantities around the world, particularly in countries in Europe and Asia, that often have building codes that require lightweight PV panels.  Demand for thin film solar technology is expected to explode in the next few years, growing from $1.9 billion in 2010 to more than $16 billion in 2017.

Peel and stick solar panels can be applied to structures, like homes, and can also be implemented in portable solar power charging systems for military operations and Third World Countries.

I can imagine a wide range of possibilities for thin film solar cells – the future of solar power is on its way!

MIT researchers are looking into new solar panel technology

Over the past 3 years, the price of solar panels has dropped dramatically – in some cases by 2/3 of the original cost.  Yet, with use of new technology, could solar panels be even more affordable?

Researchers are studying the potential replacement of expensive silicon used in PV panels with a new, less expensive form of carbon in organic solar photovoltaic (OPV) cells.  The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is experimenting with use of graphene, which is also known as graphite, in solar cells.

The mineral – more commonly used as lead in pencils – can form one-atom-thick sheets of honeycomb crystal lattice material with excellent conductive properties.  Graphene could be ideal for creating affordable solar panels for the following reasons: (1) its 100 times stronger than steel; (2) performs better than any other material as a heat conductor; (3) its thin nature makes it extremely flexible and transparent, which is ideal for thin film solar applications including building integrated photovoltaic applications such as solar roof shingles.

The biggest drawback of using graphene in solar cells is that, since the material repels moisture, it does not adhere well to other components of solar panels.  MIT researchers developed a way to introduce impurities to the graphene to encourage better bonding which, as a result, improved its electrical conductivity.

Add this new research into the column of “wins” for MIT in the area of solar technology.  Last year, news of its paper solar cells caused quite a stir.  Over time, we’ll see more affordable, and more efficient solar panels with the work of researchers like those at MIT.

SoloPower will be manufacturing thin film solar cells in Wilsonville, Oregon

The state of Oregon, on the West Coast of the United States, will soon be the home of another new solar cell manufacturing plant.  Last week, SoloPower announced that it will manufacture its flexible thin film solar cells at a new facility in Wilsonville, just 20 minutes south of Portland.  Certainly this news will add to Oregon’s leadership in the field of solar energy!

A number of green solar jobs will be created as a result of SoloPower’s plant in Oregon.  Initially, 170 new employment positions will be created during the construction of a 75 megawatt (MW) manufacturing line.  Eventually, the plant will have a 300 MW capacity and employ about 500 workers.

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, commented about the new solar cell manufacturing plant and associated green jobs:

“SoloPower is bringing exactly the kind of new jobs Oregon needs. By bringing their manufacturing headquarters to Wilsonville, we are continuing on the path toward establishing a stronger clean technology manufacturing base in Oregon.”

SolarPower is a California-based company.  So why is it building a state-of-the-art production facility for its solar modules in Oregon?

Two words: tax incentives.  The Small Scale Energy Loan Program (SELP) Advisory Committee recommended approval to the Oregon Department of Energy for a $20 million loan to SoloPower.  In addition, SoloPower is seeking a Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) of $20 million from the State of Oregon.  SoloPower CEO Tim Harris commented:

“Over the past year, SoloPower has considered several alternative sites. Oregon is an exceptional location for our long-term growth.  SoloPower greatly appreciates the partnerships it has formed with the State of Oregon, the Oregon Department of Energy, Clackamas County and the City of Wilsonville.  Oregon’s business friendly environment, excellent support programs, and highly skilled work force made locating our new manufacturing facility in Oregon an easy decision.”

The benefits of the Wilsonville location go both ways.  SoloPower will enjoy tax advantages and government incentives, and Oregon boosts its national reputation as the home of the top solar manufacturing cluster, while locals enjoy the creation of green jobs in Oregon.

Hexound Solar Powered Wireless Headphones

I’ve always loved wireless headphones and now, there is a new option for renewable energy-minded music lovers.  Industrial designer Zhong-Fa Lie has created “Hexound,” (pictured above) – solar powered wireless headphones that are Bluetooth enabled.

One of the newest solar gadgets, the concept design includes a headset covered with thin film photovoltaic (PV) panels that use sunlight to charge the internal battery without the need for an electrical outlet.  Hexound is actually comprised of three units: two speakers that connect together with a foldable solar panel covered headband.  You can listen to music with Hexound as a wireless headphone device, or with the speakers detached from the headset, in speaker mode.

Hexound solar headphones

You can’t purchase Hexound yet, but we think its a pretty cool solar gadget!

FTL Solar Fabric

Thin film solar cells are opening up all sorts of possibility for convenient charging of batteries without the need for an electrical outlet.  A new solar fabric offers flexible, convenient solar power.  Created by FTL Solar, the solar fabric (pictured above) can literally be pitched like a tent to provide both shelter and electricity.

FTL’s solar fabric is called PowerMod.  Consider the endless possibilities:  military, rescue operations, disaster relief, recreational options (camping, fishing, hiking, hunting), medical units, and even temporary housing.  Any place you need flexible convenient solar power, this solar fabric is your answer.

FTL has created four models of the PowerMod, in different scales and power generation capacity.  Check out specs for each model here.  Power generating capacity is based on exposure to 5 hours of sunlight.

Peel and stick solar panels

Thinking about a home solar power system?  Worried about cost and time for installation?  With new “peel and stick” solar panels from Lumeta, installation of PV solar panels can be achieved in 1/3 less time.  No rack mounting and half the labor expense ordinarily required to install solar panels.  Without potentially damaging roof perforation, you can relax while you generate clean, free solar electricity.

The PowerPly 400 uses photovoltaic (PV) thin film solar technology.  Basically, its a coating of solar cells on glass that, according to its website, “contains a DuPont™ Tefzel front sheet and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) substrate that allows module flexibility, yet provides the rigidity needed to assure module strength.”

In addition to the easy installation of the peel and stick solar panels, weight of the solar power system is minimal.  PowerPly 400′s design is low-height, which also prevents water pooling at the base of the panels, saving your investment – and your roof.

If you are interested in the peel and stick solar panels, you can get PowerPly directly from Lumeta in quantities greater than 250 kW.  Lumeta Inc. is one of four subsidiaries of DRI Companies, a California leader in roofing and solar technologies.

3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film Manufacturing

Last week, technology company 3M  announced the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Columbia, Missouri, for its 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film. As a key component supplier to the thin film solar industry, the expansion will support the growing demand for high efficiency flexible PV modules.

Derek DeScioli, Business Manager for the 3M Renewable Energy Division, commented on the announcement:

“3M once again demonstrates the value it brings to the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector by bringing our high-performance Ultra Barrier Solar Film to commercial-scale production.  3M is a recognized leader in ultra barrier film technology, and we are committed to accelerating our efforts to support the scale-up of our thin film manufacturing customers.”

3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film has been designed to be a glass replacement in thin film solar panels.  Solar module manufacturers can use the solar film instead of glass for additional flexibility, and lower weight panels that can be installed in less time with high light transmission, superb moisture barrier performance, and excellent weatherability.  In addition, PV panels manufactured with 3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film do not need metal racking, which reduces logistics expenditures.  With 3M Ultra Barrier Film, manufacturers can commercialize large area modules, effectively reducing fixed costs associated with module manufacturing, assembled in a continuous roll-to-roll process.

3M Ultra Barrier Solar Film is the result of more than a decade of development in transparent barrier technology, as well as over 45 U.S. patents and patent-pending applications covering construction, materials and processes.  The company  plans to begin high-volume production of the Ultra Barrier Film to supply 3M’s global thin film solar customer base, including manufacturers throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

Solar ivy to generate "green" electricity for your home?

Solar energy is getting artistic.  Designers, artists and and architects are finding more and more ways to make green electricity attractive, as well as efficient.

The latest entry in the solar art arena is a solar-wind hybrid invention called “Solar Ivy,” pictured above.  When the sun shines on the photovoltaic (PV) leaves, or the wind blows through them, clean renewable energy is generated.

Created by Samuel and Teresita Cochran, a brother-sister team of Brooklyn-based SMIT (Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology), Solar Ivy is comprised of thin film solar over polyethylene.  Consumers will have the option of also having a piezoelectric generator attached to capture kinetic energy generated by breezes.

Don’t head to your local hardware store looking for solar-powered ivy just yet, however.  The invention is still in the concept phase as developers work to lower the cost of the micro-generators.

But don’t they look cool?!

Close up of solar ivy "leaves"

Solar Ivy has been making news, even if it isn’t yet climbing the sides of your home or office building.  It was featured at the MoMa Exhibition, Design Philadelphia, by Dwell on Design, and by the New York Times for its 9th Annual Year in Ideas issue (2009).

At Design Philadelphia, the Cochrans installed Solar Ivy on a bus stop.  Can you imagine re-charging your phone or laptop with solar energy generated by mechanical leaves, while waiting for your bus?

GE brings solar panels to life!

Electronics giant General Electric (GE) announced last week that it is getting into the thin-film solar panels industry.  In a new partnership with PrimeStar Solar, GE will start R&D of cadmium telluride solar cells, with an eye toward marketing its own cad tel solar modules next year.

In the so-called “cad tel solar” market, only First Solar has managed to be a significant mass producer of the cells.

Now, GE is poised to step into the lucrative market!

General Electric’s move is long in the making.  In 2007, GE invested in PrimeStar, a cad tel start-up, and the  became the majority shareholder in 2008.

Finally, after nearly 2 years, GE has finally announced that it will work with PrimeStar to develop cad tel solar panels. GE plans to sell the panels for utility-scale solar plants.

Danielle Merfeld, the leader of GE’s solar research and developmen, stated that the company is looking to differentiate itself with respect to solar technical capability.  Cad tel could be the least expensive type of solar panels.  Just last year, First Solar broke the $1/watt barrier in thin film solar manufacturing.  GE could threaten to “de-throne” the company with respect to its leadership position in solar R&D.

With the resources and expertise of GE, the race to continually lower the cost of thin film panels is on.  Of course, the lower the cost, the less expensive solar electricity rates would be for end-user customers who get power from the utilities that are served by solar power plants.

Bring on the competition, I say!