Spain: photoelectric panel promises easily installed solar energy

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A team of researchers at Spain’s Ikerlan-IK4 technological centre have made a laboratory-scale photoelectric panel which they say solves the problems of integration and availability that current technology presents.

The Spanish government has put in place various measures to promote the development of solar energy, generating a demand that is greater than the production capacity of the manufacturing companies.

For example, legislation obliges the installation of solar panels on all newly constructed local authority buildings, and there are favourable tariffs for solar-generated electricity.

The demand for panels and the silicon needed for their manufacture is keeping prices high. At the same time, while the incentives have led to the development of a strong assembly and installation sector in Spain, it remains dependent on imports of solar cells from the Far East.

Apart from the price, traditional photoelectric technology is based on silicon panels that are voluminous, heavy, opaque and dark. This creates loading issues and compromises the aesthetics of new buildings.

The researchers says the photoelectric panel made at Ikerlan-IK4 technological centre overcomes these problems. It is made from organic polymers, which are lighter than silicon and can be coated with any colour. The material can be flexible or rigid and the researchers claim the technology enables the manufacture of semitransparent windows or photoelectric curtains that allow in light and convert part of this solar energy into electricity.

The material could also be used to make chargers for portable electronic devices that could be incorporated into garments, bags or tents.

Ikerlan is currently working on alternative designs to produce larger sized panels.  

http://www.basqueresearch.com/index.asp?hizk=I