With increasing solar energy popularity, investments are pouring in continually to make solar cell technology mainstream. The objective is to make solar energy a lot more efficient, practical, and durable. A solution that engineers and scientists have come up with to address the “durability” part is flexible solar cells. These are solar cells that can curve and flex around objects. These flexible cells could be fitted to devices and objects that would not otherwise suit rigid solar cells, such as the polycrystalline and monocrystalline cells that are used in commercial and residential solar panels.
With flexible solar cell technology continually improving, more consumer choices are becoming available. In this article, we shall take a look at the latest and greatest happenings in the world of flexible solar cells.
Current State of Flexible Solar Panel Tech
There are multiple flexible solar cell items on the market for purchase currently. These flexible panels are usually portable and lightweight so that you could easily take them to places you travel. They can be used for charging portable batteries, which could then be used for charging or powering any compatible device. These flexible panels employ ultra-thin, high-efficiency silicon wafers stacked one over the other to constitute the photovoltaic cell.
Latest Developments
Flexible solar panel advances are continually being made. However, the biggest challenge for the makers is finding out how to make viable commercial products out of these discoveries. Scientists from different parts of the world are constantly at work to take the technology forward. There are, however, a couple of hurdles in front of them: cost of production and module lifespan.
To decrease production costs, flexible solar panel should be made via roll-to-roll processing. It means they should be made on a flexible metal or plastic foil that could be rolled up. Inkjet printing can help accomplish this, allowing the electrolyte and dye components to be introduced into the foil.
It’s imperative that the total energy produced by a flexible solar cell during its lifespan should be greater compared to the total energy required to manufacture and transport the cell itself. Otherwise, the solar cell cannot be viewed as a ‘renewable resource’. The silicon-type solar cells’ rigid nature makes them more predisposed to damage when arched. To address this, new and different materials are being put through testing so that solar cells that could easily withstand these conditions can be produced.
The Future
There’s no doubt that solar technology’s future is heading toward malleable photovoltaic cells. These cells usher in several positives, such as increasing the total number of objects, devices, and surfaces that could be turned into a renewable energy source.