Flexible Solar Panels -- An Overview

Flexible solar panels are made up of layers of material that is thin and light. Most panels are also flexible enough to be rolled up for storage. Much of these characteristics are determined by how they are made. During the manufacturing process, thin-film amorphous silicon is deposited on a layer of polymer substrate. Then these photovoltaic cells are connected together as they are laid. Finally, they are sealed with a protective, transparent material tough enough to withstand abrasions.

There are many applications for flexible solar panels. They're often used to power gadgets like PDAs, mobile phones, laptops and walkie-talkies since they are so portable. 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. Compared to crystalline cells with an average thickness of 150 to 200 micrometers, thin films are only 1-micrometer thick. 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.