Versatile Solar Panel - The Increasing Star of Solar Cell Technologies3550259
The versatile solar panel is the rising star of solar cell technology. Manufactured based on thin film technology and promising easy handling and installation this technologies may have a bright future. These kinds of panels are extremely light, can be rolled up for transport and lend themselves to installation on irregular surfaces such as automobiles.
A flexible solar panel is usually produced with a roll-to-roll manufacturing procedure that deposits thin-film amorphous silicon at a thickness of 1 micrometer on thin sheets of stainless steel or other flexible substrate. The amorphous silicon is used to create the solar cell and the thin stainless steel backing enables the panel to be both versatile and durable. This type of manufacturing allows for greater possible production rates when compared to other types of solar cell manufacturing.
The flexible solar panel manufacturing process is called roll-to-roll and has the possible to reduce the price per kilowatt hour (kWh) of generating capacity when compared to regular rigid panels. The roll-to-roll manufacturing process while much more involved can be pictured like sheets of newspaper coming off of the printing press and being rolled up onto a spool. Then the desired size of panel can be rolled out and cut from the spool of solar cells.
One of many advantages of a flexible solar panel is the selection of shapes and sizes that it can be created in, allowing it to fit almost anyplace. An additional benefit is light weight portability and simple to carry shapes. Since a versatile solar cell can be rolled up like a magazine or newspaper it presents a much more handy shape for storage and transport.
Typical uses for a flexible solar panel are charging transportable device batteries like laptops, cell phones and mp3 players. You can even roll a panel out on a sunny rock and use it to recharge your gps batteries whilst you are out hiking. These kinds of solar energy cells come in a selection of sizes to suit various device specifications and portability requirements.
On a larger scale a versatile solar panel is used in arrays to produce electrical energy for houses and industrial buildings where their light weight creates less stress on roofing systems. Becoming flexible they can effortlessly be rolled out on curved roofs or walls for simple installation. This function is particularly nicely suited for temporary installations where easy setup and tear down is essential such as outdoor events.
A versatile solar panel is inherently much less efficient than a standard rigid panel. As a result much more square inches or square feet of versatile panel region is required to produce the same amount of electrical energy as a rigid panel. This disadvantage is often offset by the need for lightweight and transportable panels in particular applications.
Creating a versatile solar panel has served to revolutionize the industry. Manufactures are creating full use of thin film technology to create solar cells each quickly and price-successfully. If they are in a position to improve the efficiencies of this kind of solar cell it will really turn out to be an all around competitor. Keep an eye out for next stage of thin film technologies that will permit you to spray apply solar cell material to nearly any surface.
