Researches Develop Spray-On Solar Panels

Researches from the Australian National University are developing technology that could make solar cells more affordable, more efficient, and easier to setup thanks to being able to spray the solar cells on.

"I think it has a big chance of success," said Keith McIntosh, lead researcher from the ANU, "It's an exciting possibility."

Solar cells are traditionally made from silicon and are coated with a thin layer of silicon nitrate which gives it the anti-reflective properties to absorb the energy from the sun. The new spray-on hydrogen film and spray-on anti-reflective film process being developed by Braggon Oy, a company that develops materials, can be applied using a conveyor belt system and be sprayed on.

"The cells will be the same quality, but much cheaper," McIntosh said. Current production of solar cells use vacuum's to produce the cells which is very costly.

"About $5 million will be saved per medium-sized factory," McIntosh said. "These savings should be passed down to the consumer in a couple of years when demand for solar panels increases."

They have already begun testing at ANU and the technology should be avaliable for purchasing by the end of 2011 if all goes well.