Scientists develop spray-on solar panels Simple Green Feb 2009 Production of solar panels is set to change after researchers from the Australian National University, solar company Spark Solar Australia, and Finnish materials company Braggone Oy, set up a three year project to produce a cheaper and more efficient panel. Currently solar cells are usually made of silicon, coated with a layer of silicon nitrate which increases the efficiency of the cell as it is an anti-reflective. Another material used to capture the energy from the sun is the plasma form of hydrogen, both these materials are expensive and the cells are costly to produce. Braggone Oy has developed a new method of producing solar cells that only requires the cells to be sprayed with a hydrogen film and a spray on anti-reflective film. This process would be much quicker and cost effective than current solar cell production which involves plasma and a vacuum. "I think it has a big chance of success," said Keith McIntosh, lead researcher from the ANU, "It's an exciting possibility." The process is currently being tested, if successful McIntosh stated that “The cells will be the same quality, but much cheaper,” As well as the lower price, the efficiency of the cell is set to be improved from the 5 – 24% efficiency currently offered by solar cells. This is due to the surface of the cell being roughened to increase the surface area and therefore the amount of solar energy absorbed. "We want to roughen the surface in several different ways to study the different properties of each. Then we can find the best and most efficient surface," said Klaus Weber, also from the ANU.
Once the optimal surface has been found a cheaper and more efficient solar cell can be manufactured, hopefully increasing the amount of people investing in an energy source of the future.
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