Spray-On Solar Cells Offer Potentially Inexpensive Energy Alternative

The expensive process of manufacturing solar panels could be supplanted in the near future by sprayable inks derived from sunlight-absorbing nanoparticles- perhaps enabling solar power to have a further reach as an alternative energy option.

The particles, which are 10,000 times thinner than a strand of hair, consist of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). The nanoparticles are made into a solution and spray-painted onto a surface.

This process is still in the testing phase, as the solar-cell prototypes created thus far have only been able to convert one percent of the sunlight that contacts the cell into electricity. A 10 percent conversion rate is needed at the very least for the cells to be effective.

[via Live Science]