Thin Film Solar Cell Technology - Professor Chris Binns - University of Leicester

Professor Chris Binns explains a project to develop Thin Film Solar Cell Technology. Norwegian company EnSol AS has patented a ground breaking, thin film solar cell technology which they seek to develop commercially by 2016.

The company is now working with the University of Leicester Department of Physics and Astronomy to develop this revolutionary new type of solar cell material that could be coated as a thin film on, for example, windows in buildings to produce power on a large scale.

The new material has been designed by EnSol AS and is based on nanoparticles that can be synthesised in Leicester. The University of Leicester Department of Physics and Astronomy has a long history in the field of nanoparticles and has equipment that is uniquely suited in the world to produce small amounts of the material for prototypes.

Photovoltaics are destined to form a key power generating method as part of a low carbon economy and the new technology will bring that a stage closer. The material is composed of metal nanoparticles (diameters ~ 10 nm) embedded in a transparent composite matrix. EnSol's next generation PV cell technology has tremendous potential for lower environmental impact and much more cost effective production and purchase than conventional devices.

[ScouseJack]

This advance should go straight on to the back of a Kindle! It could work with the low wattage that thing uses. Imagine the marketing of a green Kindle that charges itself in your holiday sunshine and needs no connection to anything else.

[peacekeepermoe]

so what's happened to this research? any updates? i'ts been over 2 years since its announcement...

[Neuron]

The Port St. Lucie Civic Center has the largest thin film solar array on a public building in Florida. Projections estimated over $36, 000 in savings per year. After 1 year it produced only $1800 in electricity. My residential $30 thousand dollar 22 pv panel system makes around $3000 of electricity annually!!! Solar film, shingles & paint don't produce and won't last. My first panel worked for 32 years - go with proven technology - solar pv ~love the planet~

[jhonbravia]

If you want to power your home
you have to learn to build your own solar panels
go to Google and search for:
"Top DIY Solar Panels Review"
Choose the first result (skip the Advertisement on top)

[wille]

he has the same name as me my name is Chris Binns too :)

[wushywushy]

What a great idea - even better it's British (That's Brit-ish)

[fredbloggs]

Solar industry in Europe is dead. High cost of manufacturing, feedback tariffs withdrawn or cut and the Chinese are to blame!!