| Some basic facts about Thin Film Solar Panels, which | | | | Solar ink can be printed onto fabrics, plastics and |
| can be rolled up and easily transported. This article | | | | metals, allowing one to design panels for a wide range |
| summarizes what they are, how they are made, and | | | | of products, each tailored to their specific needs. |
| how they work. | | | | Thin and flexible photovoltaic solar panels are not as |
| Thin Film Solar Panels are made up of a lightweight | | | | effective as solid panels. It's the fact that they are so |
| and flexible material which can be rolled up and easily | | | | much cheaper and lighter than conventional solar |
| transported. They are therefore very useful as a | | | | panels, that gives them the "edge". |
| source of portable solar power. | | | | The U.S. military is extremely interested in the |
| Anyone who has ever used a solar-powered | | | | development of thin-film solar technology, and spent |
| calculator has had "hands on" experience with Thin | | | | 1.seven million dollars on one laboratory last year, to |
| Film Photovoltaics. This technology has been with us | | | | facilitate the development of Thin Film Photovoltaics. |
| for years, creating the strips which are used to power | | | | The US government is interested in implementing this |
| calculators | | | | technology in troop communication devices, which can |
| This photovoltaic technology has now evolved to a | | | | reduce the heat signatures which are created when |
| point where we can mass-produce solar panels, | | | | troops use conventional generators. |
| through the use of machines not unlike printing presses. | | | | Solar shades and tents are now available, using thin |
| The substance which is used to print these | | | | film photovoltaics, which provide up to 2kw of power. |
| photovoltaic panels is called "solar ink." | | | | This allows them to operate laptops, communication |
| Solar ink can be made in any color. In fact, it is possible | | | | devices, TVs, and much more. |
| to design the inks in such a way as to make use of | | | | Thin film photovoltaic devices are now widely available |
| different parts of the light spectrum. | | | | on the consumer market. |
| Solar presses print thin panels called "solar rolls." These | | | | A flexible solar panel weighing less than a pound is |
| rolls are 13 inches wide, and can be up to 2400 feet | | | | now capable of recharging a laptop. Due to its flexibility, |
| long. They can be cut to the required size, after the | | | | it can be rolled up and transported easily. |
| solar ink has been printed onto them. | | | | Flexible photovoltaic panels are also a realistic source |
| The electrical connections in the roll are automatically | | | | of emergency power. They are a handy and |
| welded in with a laser. This procedure reduces the | | | | economic addition to emergency preparedness kits |
| construction time to a considerably lower level than the | | | | and wilderness survival kits. |
| time required to construct conventional solar panels. | | | | Current research on Thin Film Photovoltaics is aimed |
| Once this technology reaches a cost-effectiveness of | | | | at increasing the power output of these panels. If this |
| $1.00 per watt, its prices will be competitive with those | | | | research achieves this goal, there is a very good |
| of conventional fossil fuels. TFPV is rapidly | | | | possibility that we will have solved the problem cheap |
| approaching this benchmark, and could possibly beat it | | | | and clean renewable energy. |
| in the near future. | | | | |