The future for solar panel technology has always been bright, but now even more so because of a recent innovation by Canadian researchers.
Recent studies conducted at the University of Alberta have been successful in developing a less expensive and less complicated way of manufacturing solar panels.
This could mean a more accessible cost for consumers who want to get off the power grid faster.
This research group has studied solar power cells for a number of years, and after many different attempts, they created a liquid to make films, absorb light and create electricity much more inexpensively.
Essentially, these are tiny particles made out of very cheap materials such as zinc and phosphorus. Best of all, because these materials are so common, it’s a lot easier than using the current materials like cadmium, and ultimately becomes less expensive to make a solar panel.
Using the new process, solar panels are made out of liquid, so they are thinner and don’t weigh as much. This also means they don’t need to be installed on roofs. Instead, this nanoparticle-based liquid can be printed much like a newspaper press. It can even be turned into a spray to coat walls and roofs.
This is a solar panel technology that is going to be very flexible and light; meaning you can install on the window, on lines or other decorative items that can make solar panel technology aesthetically beautiful.
The Future is Great
The goal of the scientific research is to make solar energy easily accessible in all areas, including developing countries and even Canada’s far northern regions. The University team is currently applying for patents and securing funding to work on the next steps. They estimate that this new technology could take another 5 to 10 years to reach the consumer market.
