NextBillion.net - Development Through Enterprise - Printable, Disposable Solar Panels - Comments

Suitable for Permanent Structures

Ray — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:05:26 -0400

Could this technology be adapted and put on something more substantial to function as a permanent panel? It seems wasteful and a lot of work to replace these every few months. Perhaps this could be incorporated into siding and left permanently on. It seems the biggest problem with solar cells right now is the cost and this seems to be a way to reduce the cost and pump up the yields.

Great Idea...What is the Environmental Cost of Production?

sara standish — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 17:56:18 -0500

Having spent time living in South Africa, I have been able to see firsthand the need for affordable, off-the-grid solutions to energy. Is there any additional information on their business model? This could be an excellent opportunity to promote a service model that allows for the recycling and reuse of the disposable product and trains local entrepreneurs to provide the product and any associated technical support. Plus, with the growing ecotourism market in national parks, tourists staying in SA may be another niche consumer that could benefit from this product.

Printable, Disposable Solar Panels

Courtland Walker — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 09:47:15 -0500

November 21, 2005 - 10:00, Business Day (Johannesburg)

Uct Scientists Invent Disposable Solar Panel

Story Link: http://allafrica.com/stories/200511180234.html

Tamar Kahn
Johannesburg

SCIENTISTS at the University of Cape Town are exploiting the nano-scale properties of silicon to develop a super-thin disposable solar panel poster which they hope could offer rural dwellers a cheap, alternative source of power.

Many people living in remote areas are not linked to the national electricity grid, and use batteries or run their own generators to supply their power needs.