The march towards cheap, printable solar panels continues:
MIT researchers have figured out a way to print thin film solar cells on paper using a process that resembles a standard inkjet printer. If they’re able to gear efficiencies up to scale, the development could revolutionize the production and installation of solar panels.
Apparently the same technique could also allow us to print solar cells on foil or plastic. There are all the usual caveats, of course: It's experiemental technology, years away from commercialization, and the efficiencies are low. But still, can you imagine being able to simply paint a layer of solar cells on any plastic surface you want, or, as one of the researchers mused, "use a staple gun to install a solar panel"?
Share on Facebook
