check out this allegedly forthcoming technology...solar cells manufactured via inkjet printing...think power-generating cloth(!!):
"Solar company Konarka wants to bring plastics to life with the sun. Konarka has developed technology to create rolls of plastic that can convert light to electricity--a design that will result in solar power being embedded in everything from flashing Coke bottles to wireless sensors, the company claims. Earlier this month, Konarka said that it has demonstrated the use of inkjet printing to manufacture its solar cells. And at a recent investor conference here, chairman and founder Howard Berke described Konarka's longer-term plans to embed small solar plastic cells in hundreds of products."
Read more here...: http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9891134-54.html?part=rss
sounds so promising! one issue already anticipated is efficiency -- apparently Konarka's cells are only 5% efficient (vs. silicon panels, which convert 16-20% of light that hits them into electricity). i also wonder about production cost. regardless, this certainly seems like a step in the right direction! what do we think about the potential in this technology...?
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