Thin film solar energy

Thin Film Solar Energy

The past few decades has seen a rise in interest in the search for alternative energy , and one of the most promising prospects is the Thin Film Solar . Requiring comparatively less semiconductor material than other solar cells , and claimed to be less pricey than silicon cells , the thin film solar is potentially the foremost energy source in the coming decades (Flexible thin-film solar cells touted , CNN , 1999 ) Thin film solar cells are produced from special photovoltaic material , which has high conversion efficiencies and uses less material (US Department

of Energy , 2006 ) It is estimated that thin film solar cells can be employed for energy production within the next ten years

The expected efficiency conversion of thin film solar is around 18 percent (CNN , 1999 , and the projected target is for this new technology to produce 10 to 20 percent of world energy within the next 20 years (Malsch , n .d ) Commercial and consumer installations can benefit from this techonolgy , especially since the fossil fuel energy is predicted to decline in the coming decades . As mentioned , a noted advantage of the thin film solar is that it is relatively cheaper than other energy sources , and there are researchers to increase the energy conversion rate . Although the predicted energy output is around 20 percent of the world requirement , which is in fact already a considerable share of the pie , it is already a substantial contribution to the world energy requirement and the solar energy is a venture that is worth pursuing . As per the environmental impacts , Malsch noted that the use of the technology would result to a 16 percent decline in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030

According to Malsh , as per today , four industry leaders are developing and researching on the technology . Since the market in the future would be global , Nanocorp 's entry into the market would have significant impact in terms of contributing to the supply of this innovation that is expected to be dominant in the future

References

Flexible thin-film solar cells touted , CNN , 26 July 1999 , viewed 13 January 2008

Malsch , Ineke , Thin films seek a solar future : despite setbacks , the technology may yet shine , American Institute of Physics , viewed 14 January 2008

Thin films , US Department of Energy : Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy , 05 January 2006 , viewed 13 January 2008...