New solar cell technology

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 07:56
ThreadID: 35537 Views:3412 Replies:6 FollowUps:7
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In another post I mentioned this development but thought it was worth giving it it's own thread as I guess many people will be interested - it's still early days so don't expect to see solar panels with this material for a few years but it looks like it will make current solar panels obsolete and provide _much_ greater efficiency.

It goes by the catchy name of "flexible, roller-processed solar cells" but I guess the marketing boys will deal with that :)

www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/050110-832.asp

Site Link

Mike Harding
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Robin - Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 08:32

Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 08:32
Hi Mike

Like to read about new developments in all fields - it really is an amazing world and this development looks sound.

As the note says though, there are real practical factors that will determine the success or otherwise that go beyond what is technically possible.

Was employed once around 1980 as a research engineer in a major television manufacturing operation helping to prepare a company for the iminent invasion of thin panel displays.

The company counter attacked by streamlining conventional picture tube manufacture and a number of political
moves and its only in the last couple years that tube technology has truely been replaced by thin panels.

Robin Miller
AnswerID: 181909

Reply By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 09:46

Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 09:46
That is very interesting - spraypaint your 4by with solar!
AnswerID: 181919

Reply By: Member - greg S (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 14:01

Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 14:01
Great story, but wonder what the cost might be. I suppose when it comes to the environment we have to make some sacrifices. Wonder if I was to paint the wheelchair with this stuff, it will run a small electric motor or charge a battery (then I could get out of pushing the thing), might even be able to charge the mobile phone on the run too, but I don't think I have enough area to paint the stuff onto. Maybe they could paint it onto the scooters that you see all around, then they could go alot further than they do now......HMMMMM This could be really good stuff.
Mike, thanks for posting this, I for one can't wait for this to come out so we can see what it could actually do, it will certainly make life a little easier for some..

Cheers Greg
AnswerID: 181940

Reply By: Member - andrew B (Kununurra) - Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 17:35

Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 at 17:35
I remember Dr Karl on JJJ once stated that one day the roads will be the solar cells and we will drive and charge batteries in the day dragging a wire like inverted dodgem car power sources. Still a long way to go I feel but who knows where it will go

Cheers Andrew
AnswerID: 181965

Reply By: madmax - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 18:33

Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 18:33
Hi Guys,

This thin-film solar technology is proably a couple of years away, given that we can't even get supply of the current thin-film solar technology.

Sounds great though.

Max
Information Manager
Energy Matters - Solar and Battery Sales
www.energymatters.com.au
AnswerID: 185070

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:30

Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:30
Yes... we know... I mentioned it in the original post, you're three weeks late.

I appreciate you would like people to buy current panels from you but if you going to post thinly disguised advertising on this forum perhaps you would have the courtesy to register as an advertiser?

Mike Harding
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FollowupID: 441831

Follow Up By: Alloy c/t - Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:35

Monday, Jul 24, 2006 at 19:35
Mike ,the moderator has been informed about the blatant touting for business ,
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Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Sunday, Jul 30, 2006 at 12:37

Sunday, Jul 30, 2006 at 12:37
Looked at from Max's angle...
where would his 'add' be placed ?
would it be visable to those who are interested in the relevant subject ?

Yes his add is blatant, but only those interested in the subject would spend time looking at his web site or in fact reading the post in the first place - so my point is:

Maybe 'adverts' could be inserted (and obviously paid for) as some sort of "ONE LINE message 0R QUICK-Link" at the bottom of the post, similar but much smaller than the message he has used, and only as a second option, as well as an inderpendant advert placed where (ever) they are at present!

The 'message' in this way can also clearly show the readers of the post the business behind the person making the post, the readers then can judge for themselves the credability of the relevant information in the post as some are extremely 'biased' and one sided when it comes to product comparisons and technical knowledge of their oppositions products.

Just my own thoughts...
maybe a moderator should be informed of this post also...
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Follow Up By: madmax - Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 09:33

Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 09:33
Hi Guys,

In my defence, i have signed up as an advertiser. I am just waiting for Exploroz to get back to my with the paperwork.

Max
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Follow Up By: madmax - Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 09:40

Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 09:40
PS: I think my post was relevant, even if i did include a link to my web site. People have a choice, they can chose not to click on it if they don't want. If you can find somewhere in Australia that supplies thin film solar panels, I would like to hear about it. You just can't get them in Aust.

Max
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FollowupID: 443244

Follow Up By: Mike Harding - Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 10:06

Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 10:06
>I think my post was relevant

I don't.

It was a one-liner which added nothing to the thread and merely repeated something I had already mentioned in my original post. You did, however, sign off with information intended to further your business interests.

Mike Harding
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Follow Up By: madmax - Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 10:32

Monday, Jul 31, 2006 at 10:32
um ... it was intended as a statement from someone in the know, about the unavailability of thin film technology in Australia.
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Sunday, Jul 30, 2006 at 17:15

Sunday, Jul 30, 2006 at 17:15
When I was England 4 years ago I had a chance to a have closeup look (but mustn't touch ! ) at the solar flyer being developed by Qinetiq.

The whole top wing surface was solar panel about a millimetre thick - just semiconductor on a base of very thin stainless steel sheet.

I guess this sort of research project doesn't worry too much about dollars/watt - more grams/watt !

I don't know how similar this technology was to today's flexible solar panels.
AnswerID: 186080

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