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Meet Konarka Technologies, a solar company that specializes in organic photovoltaics -- solar cells made from plastics. Its cells aren't as efficient or long-lasting as silicon, which is used in most roof-top solar panels. But they are lighter, flexible and can be added to a range of products, from gadgets to clothes (so you can charge your mobile or laptop on the go). The company has even suggested putting its plastic on soft-drink bottles in stores for advertising.
So when will we start to see this new generation of consumer-friendly solar cells? Konarka is now commercially prototyping its solar cells and expects to have products that use the films by late 2008, says Howard Berke, the company's chairman and co-founder.
With organic photovoltaics, the efficiency of converting sunlight to electricity of its cells is about five percent. Most silicon panels, by comparison, are in the 15 percent to 20 percent range. Berke says that he expects they will ultimately approach silicon's efficiency. Organic photovoltaics work well in a broader spectrum of light than silicon, too.
Konarka already does a lot of work for the US military. But after raising $98 million (its biggest payoff) if the technology works as promised solar cells could be in consumer products near you soon.
Photo: Konarka Technologies
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