subject: Flexible Solar Panels -- What Are These? [print this page] Manufacturing flexible solar panels involve depositing thin-film amorphous silicon on polymer layers. Individual photovoltaic cells are electrically connected as these doped semiconductor units are placed on the substrate. This layer consisting of tiny solar cells are then sealed with a protective, transparent material strong enough to withstand light scratches. The product of this process produce solar panels that are thin, flexible and light enough to be rolled up for storage.
There are many applications for flexible solar panels. Being portable, they're often used as a charger for gadgets like PDAs, mobile phones, laptops and walkie-talkies. They can also be used to power camping equipment, field communication radios and GPS systems. Many flexible solar panels are even integrated into architectural fabric and metal roofing.
Price-wise, amorphous silicon thin film solar cells can be cheaper than conventional crystalline cells. This is because less semiconductor material is required. Each thin film cell is 1-micrometer thick, as compared to an average of 150 to 200 micrometers for crystalline cells. The downside to this material is its inefficiency. While crystalline photovoltaic cells boast a credible 20% efficiency, most thin films are confined to a single digit efficiency percentage. But research to improve the efficiency of thin film photovoltaic cell is underway. Using a few types of photovoltaic materials that respond to different electromagnetic wavelength, it is possible for thin films to convert more sunlight into electricity, matching the efficiency of the crystalline cell.
Flexible solar panels are sold in different shapes and sizes. A brief search on the Internet reveals a wide range of products that these solar panels are currently utilized for. Manufacturers like Silicon Solar, Inc and PowerFilm develops and manufactures flexible solar panels for consumers and businesses alike. And as the popularity of solar panels increase in recent years, more start-ups are also jumping into the renewable energy bandwagon to serve a host of new converts recently found in the market. Xunlight from Toledo, Ohio, is an example of such new companies.
In recent years, engineers found a way to increase the lifespan and efficiency of solar cells. A layer of material is coated on the transparent, protective layer to convert ultraviolet radiation into longer-wavelength visible light. This minimize solar cells' exposure to harmful UV radiation, extending their lifespan. Incidentally, this technique also helps convert more sunlight into electricity.
When technology improves, flexible solar panels may be able to utilize more elements in the solar spectrum and turn them to useful electrical energy. By then, this technology will gradually replace bulkier crystalline solar cells in many applications.
