New solar cell design could offer flexibility

A new design for solar cell technology could allow the renewable energy source to be used in a variety of different ways.

Advancements in the design of solar panels could make the renewable energy generators easier to install, according to an industry representative.

Researchers from America have devised a way of making flexible solar cells that use just one per cent of the material needed for conventional solar cells.

Silicon solar cells are currently made on brittle wafers of silicon which are a couple of centimetres thick.

This new technology would allow makers to use much less silicon and hence reduce the weight and production costs of the material.

It also offers a variety of benefits for the consumer.

Peter Moore of Viridis said: “The flexible silicon wires would enable easier installation and offer lighter solutions.”

For home use, Peter suggested the technology could be used in window tinting as “this would offer a dual solution for commercial buildings with large window facades”.

Further advice was given suggesting homeowners “should look at the technology available now in relation to the advantages of the feed-in tariffs or cash back schemes”.

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