Printable solar stick everywhere - Two cells per second

Printable solar panels that will soon be marketed developed by a consortium set up by Australia's Agency for Scientific and Industrial Research of the Commonwealth (CSIRO) together with the University of Melbourne and Panepistimio Monash. 

The technology relies on the use of a special "solar ink" that can be printed on a plastic film (film) with conventional printers, similar to those used for banknotes. 

The research team behind the printable solar intended for use on any surface that would accept plastic: bags of metaforasforiton electrical computers to skyscrapers. 

The best part is that the printing speed is such that it takes more than two seconds to print a solar cell. 

The Organic Solar Cell Consortium of Victoria in Australia working in printable photovoltaics since 2007 Scientists involved in the project have developed several processes including spray coating, reverse gravure, coating by placing the paint in specific slots (slot -dye coating) and screen printing. 

Plus using semiconducting ink, researchers can print solar cells directly into flexible sheets (sheet thickness) of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the same type of plastic used for bottled water and soft drinks. 

The cells can also be printed in steel or become semi-transparent for use on windows and facades. 

Initially built in coin-sized cells, but in a short time built into cell surface paper A3. Currently printing speed has reached ten meters per minute, which translates to a solar cell per second. 

The big downside of technology is as will be anamenotan- that achieved a 10% efficiency of this cell silicon. 

However, scientists aim to close the gap factor higher efficiency solar inks. The lifespan of the cells was only six months with a target of ten years. 

Comparing printable plastic solar panels with conventional silicon technology, Fiona Scholes by CSIRO notes that while declining price of silicon, plastic is even cheaper, while the cost of cartridges is negligible. 

"This is an important step forward because you can put those cells where you want. It is also more "consistent" than silicon, and operate in conditions of clouding. "

The huge range of applications of the technology has already attracted many companies prospecting the potential for commercial exploitation. Although, the printer used costs around 150,000 Euros, the economies of scale of commercial production is expected to make the cells very affordable.