Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists have created a photovoltaic material that can turn any surface into a solar panel. This material is thinner than a human hair. This is reported by El Diario 24.
Photoelectric material is 18 times more efficient than traditional solar panels in terms of energy per unit weight.
How the new technology works
Photovoltaic material, also known as solar “carpet,” can be applied to roofs to generate renewable energy. One of the key advantages of this material is its light weight, which allows it to be used where installing conventional solar panels would be a problem.
The material can be used for boat sails, drone wings, tents, and many other applications. It can also be used on building facades, balconies, or other small-scale applications. The solar material is especially useful in rural or remote areas where access to other energy sources is limited.
Researchers at MIT coated a plastic sheet with a layer of parylene just a few micrometers thick. This layer provides electrical insulation and protection against corrosion caused by moisture or chemicals.
The team then placed a series of layers of solar cells on a sheet of parylene, using printed inks made from different materials. The entire structure is just 2-3 micrometers thick. The edges of the material were sealed with an adhesive to protect the layers, which was then applied to a lightweight, durable fabric, which was then peeled off, transferring the solar modules to the fabric surface.
When evaluating new solar cell technology, people are usually limited to their energy conversion efficiency and cost in dollars per watt. But equally important is integration – the ease with which the new technology can be adapted, the developers explained.