Spray-on solar panels developed

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/2511/spray-solar-panels-developed

Spray-on solar panels developed

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

by Stephanie Stohr
Cosmos Online

…

Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), in Canberra, solar company Spark Solar Australia, and Finnish materials company Braggone Oy are collaborating on a three-year project that could transform the production of solar cells.

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Simpler process

Solar cells are typically made of silicon coated with a thin layer of silicon nitrate - which is used as an anti-reflective agent to increase cell efficiency. However, these types of cells are costly to produce because they are made in a vacuum.
…

The new method developed by Braggone Oy uses a spray-on hydrogen film and spray-on anti-reflective film. Instead of the need for plasma and a vacuum, the cells simply travel along a conveyor belt where the films are sprayed on.

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Much cheaper

Testing of the process is now taking place at the ANU, and the technology should be available toward the end of 2011.

…

[BrklynLiberal]

1. cool!

[ZombieHorde]

2. K&R

[gristy]

3. Sorry folks

This is crap. No mention of what the efficiency of this solar cell is. We know why that is.

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Press Release

http://www.sparksolar.com.au/assets/SparkSolarMediaRelease210109.pdf

WEDENSDAY 21 JANUARY 2009

SPRAY-ON MATERIAL TO LEAD TO CHEAPER SOLAR PANELS

A new spray-on material that could make solar panels cheaper is to be developed in a joint research effort announced today by The Australian National University (ANU) and Spark Solar Australia.

As one of two new projects worth a combined $1.85 million, the spray-on project will focus on a new way to treat the surface of a solar cell, the core component inside a solar panel that converts sunlight to electricity. The project will be run with the Finnish materials company Braggone Oy.

“It will provide an opportunity for significant manufacturing cost reductions by replacing the conventional, expensive manufacturing techniques that are currently employed industry-wide with the spray-on films,” said Dr Keith McIntosh from ANU, the chief investigator in the first project.

The second project will investigate methods to change the surface of a solar cell to improve its efficiency. This project will be run in conjunction with German solar company GP Solar and led by chief investigator Dr Klaus Weber from ANU. “We aim to develop a range of industry-ready cell fabrication sequences that will offer significantly improved conversion efficiencies” Dr Weber said.

…

http://news.anu.edu.au/?p=923

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Um ... "spray-on hydrogen film" ?? What is that supposed to be ?

All either article really says is that they're workin on a new process, which they hope will be better than known processes.

[Sandrine for you]

6. I like it. Maybe we can spray on ourself.