Revolutionary micro-solar technology utilizes glitter-sized photovoltaic cells to change how we generate and use solar power. The significantly reduced size and 100 times less silicon used, allows for increased versatility of photovoltaic applications. Traditional solar cells are 6” square wafers which restricts location, performance, and manufacturing. Other unique factors to this technology include solar tracking, self assembly, and power management techniques.
Despite the significantly reduced size, the cells perform comparably to traditional solar cells which can allow for installation in more non-conventional areas such as tents and possibly clothing to recharge small electronics while in the field or outdoor recreation. The glitter-sized cells can also be used on more traditional applications such as roofing.
Benefits
10 times thinner than conventional solar cells
More versatility
Highly efficient microsolar devices
Lower costs in manufacturing and installation
Can be fabricated from any size of commercial wafer
More resilient and reliable
Can be bent or contoured to fit virtually any surface
Applications and Industries
Solar energy generation
Energy storage
Battery charging applications
Satellites
Remote Sensing
Integrated solar on unusual, non-traditional items
Solar energy harvesting
Mobile electronics
Vehicles
R&D100 Video: Microscale Photovoltaics Full Screen
Breakthrough: Microelectronic Photovoltaics Full Screen
How microscale photovoltaics can change the world | Vipin Gupta | TEDxABQ 2014 Full Screen