(Press Release) Plextronics' Organic Solar Cell Technology Breaks World Record

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://sev.prnewswire.com/oil-energy/20070809/NETH06009082007-1.html

Plextronics' Organic Solar Cell Technology Breaks World Record:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Certifies Cell Efficiency

Plextronics' Organic Solar Cell Technology Breaks World Record:
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Plextronics, Inc. announced today that its organic photovoltaic technology achieved a world record in the conversion of solar light to power efficiency. The company's result of 5.4 percent establishes a new world record for single layer organic solar cells as certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in Golden, Colorado.

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"Today's world-record performance demonstrates the rapid pace at which our technology is progressing," said Hammond. "We look forward to continuing this advancement until we have enabled low-cost solar cell products with our Plexcore(R) ink system."

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Plexcore(R) ink systems for organic photovoltaic cells enable the low-cost printing of photo-active and charge carrier layers, which together convert light to power in the organic photovoltaic cell. The ability to print organic photovoltaic cells on glass or plastic drastically reduces the cost of energy compared to silicon solar cell technology. Specifically, Plextronics' technology has the potential to reduce the cost of solar cells below the commercially important threshold of $1 per watt, which is a reduction of up to five times that of crystalline silicon-based solar energy systems.

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[Deja Q]

1. $1 per watt is a steal.

Fir example, a high powered PC, with monitor, needs up to 750 watts. (a laser printer needs anywhere up to 3000, but most people use inkjets...)


I wish there was more I could do to become a scientist and develop more like that.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. News Story

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_521475.html

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"Some of the potential customers for this are talking about coming out with products as early as 2008," said Troy Hammond, Plextronics' vice president of products, though the company expects a more significant impact a year or two later.

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Plextronics' first solar products will be relatively simple, and many will be geared for consumers, Hammond said.

Portable chargers for laptop computer batteries or other devices could be made with glass solar cells that provide five or so watts, for example. On the flexible side, a jacket's outer layer could collect energy and transfer it to a wireless phone.

Longer-term, Plexcore could be used to make energy-generating devices for remote regions and for enhancing power grids worldwide, Hammond said. There are potential military uses, including flexible tent fabrics to heat and power encampments.

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