Production of solar cells using photovoltaic plastics

The idea of ​​manufacturing solar cells using photovoltaic (PV) plastics could revolutionize the solar energy market in the near future.

Plastic solar cells can be rolled up like wallpaper. Photo: Daily Mail

Scientists at the University of Sheffield (UK) have successfully researched the technology to produce solar panels using PV plastic. This material has the advantage of being cheaper, lighter and easier to install than the silicon material commonly used to produce solar panels today.

Scientists hope this technology will revolutionize the solar energy market in the near future.

“If you can create a solar panel that can be rolled up like a giant piece of wallpaper and is cheap, it would be a suitable option for developing countries,” Professor David Lidzey, a member of the research team, told the Daily Mail.

A building with solar panels made of PV plastic installed. Photo: Daily Mail

Currently, Konarka (USA) has started to apply this new technology to manufacture products for customers and install PV plastic solar panels in all of its offices in Florida. In addition, Konarka also uses the new type of solar panels to make bus shelter roofs and soon other outdoor public works.

Although the advantages of PV plastic are cheap, non-conductive and heat-conducting, the technology of solar panels made of this material still needs to be further improved before being widely applied. The reason is that the efficiency of solar panels made of PV plastic is only 8%, while this index of silicon material is 18%.

In addition, another disadvantage of PV plastic solar panels is their poor durability, which quickly degrades when placed outdoors. However, Dr. David Lidzey believes that poor durability is not a problem if this material helps reduce costs many times over compared to silicon.

According to Khoahoc.tv