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Solar film

Solar film is a technology that is emerging as the future of solar power collection. This thin film solar technology raises the efficiency and versatility of solar collection cells to an all-time high with the promise of more.

Solar film can be a sheet rolled on to a window to help cut down on UV rays and heat getting inside a building. Solar film also refers to the technology of miniaturizing solar panels to the point where they can be rolled out on to a roof, wall or any flat surface to collect the rays of the sun.

The film is made of what essentially is a very thin polyester or polyester-based material coated with a few different types of metals. These films can be applied to windows in places like homes and businesses. Film designed to be actual solar collectors

One of the biggest benefits of having solar film on windows is the fact that it reduces solar heat gain, UV rays, glare and loss of heat in the colder months. This film is useful because it doesn’t allow heat to escape. This, in turn, leads to lower heating bills.

Solar film on windows doesn’t significantly darken living areas. While some of the film is dark and does not allow a lot of heat to seep in, there are many tints available that can be classified as almost transparent. But, those who want to create a different kind of hue in a room can get lightly colored film as well.

About 90 percent of fabric fading is caused by UV rays, visible light and heat. Solar film with a 15 percent light visible transmission stops almost 80 percent of fabric fading.

The technology also extends to solar cells and panels. Solar panels are normally made of silicon and are sometimes bulky and unwieldy and relatively inefficient. But the durability and efficiency levels were some of the first concerns with thin film technology. Pollution was another concern – prototypes were made using dangerous heavy metals – the pollution caused by working with the heavy metals cancels out any other advances.

There is currently a team of optical scientists and chemists at the University of Arizona working with using organic compounds such as carbon and hydrogen.These same scientists estimate it could take another 10 years to work through the setbacks with thin solar film, but that when it’s ready it will revolutionize the solar power industry.

In 2009 alone, San Jose-based Nanosolar began to deliver affordable thin-film solar coating. A construction boom followed solar thermal power plants in America— geothermal power can be described as a reflective equivalent.

Konarka Technologies, a Massachusetts-based company has successfully manufactured thin solar cells using an inkjet printer. This method decreases production costs by using existing inkjet technology. Printable Power Plastic cells can be applied to a range of small-scale, versatile power applications.