the lightweight, low-cost solar panels by nanosolar are printed rather than fabricated as with conventional semiconductor cells

germany-based manufacturer nanosolar has recently completed a 1-megawatt solar panel installation in california, demonstrating the efficacy of the company’s solar cells, which are printed with metallic ink on rolls of aluminum foil rather than fabricated as in conventional solar panels. as a result of the replacement of silicon with less expensive metals, and the use of printing rather than constructive technology, the energy costs under 1 USD per watt, whereas conventional cells approximate 2-3 USD per watt. in addition, the flexibility and light weight of the cells eases transport costs and increases the range of locations in which they can be installed.

the nanosolar cells rely not on silicon but instead a mix of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium (CIGS). their construction process utilizes equipment similar to that of a printing press, wherein 2km-long rolls of aluminum are printed on with proprietary nanoparticle ink. once the ink has dried, the CIGS are formed. the metal sheet is punched with holes to aid conductivity between layers before a silk-screening like process prints ‘semiconductor fingerprints’ onto the material. finally the sheets are cut into individual cells, which are sorted and stacked to be turned into glass-on-glass panels.

introduction to nanosolar and the technology behind the lightweight solar cells (beginning at 2:55)

having recently raised 70 million USD in funding, nanosolar is equipped to produce 115-megawatts’ worth of solar panels each year. it currently sees 11.5% module efficiency, with an expected 14% by 2013. the company anticipates that it will achieve grid parity, ie: solar energy that costs no more per watt than conventional electricity, by 2015. the company’s factory in luckenwalde, germany (outside of berlin) is reportedly automated to sustain a production rate of at least one panel every ten seconds.

the company’s recent, 4992-panel installation in california is part of the US department of defense’s ‘environmental security technology certification program’ (ESTCP) which is testing green technologies to identify viable alternatives for energy use.

nanosolar flexible solar cells printed on aluminum foil a technician paints special metallic ink onto a roll of aluminum foil

nanosolar flexible solar cells printed on aluminum foil collage of the process of creating nanosolar cells

although it has the highest expected efficiency rates for the near future, nanosolar is not the only company to be working with CIGS panelsas an alternative to silicon: solar frontier is the industry’s largest, followed by miasole, avancis, solibro, and global solar energy. arizona-based firm first solar utilizes a different material but similar thin film semiconductor technology, having just begun installation of the world’s largest solar panel installation to date in san luis obispo county, california.

nanosolar flexible solar cells printed on aluminum foil nanosolar has a 1.1-megawatt installation at their home factory outside of berlin, germany