Scientists are Making Paper-Thin Solar Panels

Scientists always push the envelope one way or another, and they decided to tackle solar panels. This shouldn’t surprise anyone. Scientists were going to take solar panels to the next level at some point.

Places around the world need access to electricity, and if solar panels can provide that access, the better things will be for society. Places like Zimbabwe can use solar panels since the people can’t rely on the government to provide adequate power.

Power issues are so bad there that it’s estimated that 37.7 percent of the residents use solar panels as their primary source of energy. Most of the time, the panels aren’t too strong, so they can only power a small lamp. There’s no doubt that the people in this country and many others are desperate for a more convenient and affordable solution.

In essence, scientists are attempting to create printable solar panels. These would be easier to make and transport. They’ll be much easier to install as well. They have been working on printable panels for years now, but progress has leaped recently.

A team at MIT is responsible for developing ways to place photovoltaic cells on sheets as thin as paper. The team was able to place these cells on everything, from newspaper to plastic food wrap. It could give the recycling industry a boost.

Scientists are using vacuum chambers to vapor print anodes onto the intended surface. It’s a lot more technical than this, but that’s the gist of it.

While there’s more work to be done to get these panels out into the hands of the consumers, the possibilities are apparent. If this is possible, one day it may be possible to wear clothes that charge a phone.

Maybe installing a solar panel system in a house will only require some glue or maybe a simple staple gun. The cost of solar panels can become more affordable than ever before, and that makes this news exciting.

It’s pushing the sustainable energy industry forward. A full solar panel system could provide more power than enough to power a small lamp.

Many countries and even folks in the United States are dealing with rolling blackouts. There’s an energy shortage, and solar panels could make all the difference in the world.