| Revolutionizing Solar Electricity |
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| Written by Suzann Kale | |
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Are you ready to live in the future? Because it's here.
Nanosolar, a world leader in solar power research, now has a product that they describe as "the ultimate solar electricity panel." Called the PowersheetTM, this panel has "the industry-leading price-per-watt performance."1 The panels pick up light not only from direct sun, but also from the infrared spectrum that's present in low-light conditions.
In addition, the company can produce high volumes of these panels, without the use of expensive silicon. Although testing is on-going, this probably means we now have an economic way to create electricity for large geographical areas, with only the sun as a power source.
No oil, no gas, no carbon fuel burning of any kind is required. Nanosolar has been featured on the History Channel's "Modern Marvels," and on CNN's "Global Challenges." The Motley Fool, a financial publication, says Nanosolar could "become the dominant player in the industry."2
For now, the PowerSheetTM is being offered to volume business
 customers. But the company plans to be able to sell to the public sometime this year. Also available is the SolarPlyTM - a large solar-electric "carpet" which can be integrated into roofing materials. The solar cells are durable and bendable.Producing "thin-film" solar cells in plastic sheets from its new headquarters in Palo Alto, California, Nanosolar will be able to "make enough solar cells each year to generate 400 megawatts of electricity, roughly enough to light 300,000 homes."3
"The solar film is 100 times thinner than a silicon wafer but can produce roughly the same amount of energy," Martin Roscheisen, Nanosolar's CEO, told the San Francisco Chronicle.4 The films are made by combining proprietary nanoparticle ink and fast roll-printing technology.
The company's motto? "A solar panel on every building."®
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posted Jan.3, 2006
2The Motley Fool, Dec.15, 2006, "A Rising Sun?" by Jack Uldrich
3San Francisco Chronicle, Dec.13, 2006, "San Jose will have innovative solar plant: 'Thin-Film' cells don't use silicon" by David R. Baker
4Ibid
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