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Paint on Solar Power!

inhabitat.com — The idea is to coat every piece of steel cladding with a solar cell paint. As steel is passed through the rollers multiple coatings of of the solar cell system are applied to it. Based on the preliminary research, the materials that are being applied are suited to capturing low level solar radiation, which means that they should work just as well

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  • Salinesolucion, on 03/26/2008, -4/+12Sounds like a smart idea
    • theaceoffire, on 03/26/2008, -5/+1Anyone know the efficiency? The durability?
      This sounds too random to be worth it really...
    • goodkidyo, on 03/26/2008, -0/+2you sound too random to be worth it really!
      • Godlike, on 03/26/2008, -1/+1Your face is too random to be worth it really!
  • TJ11240, on 03/26/2008, -3/+11Who ever said the energy crisis is impossible to solve with renewable technologies?
    • RustyJ, on 03/26/2008, -0/+8Oil tycoons.
      • AJoseph, on 03/26/2008, -2/+2Oily racoons?
        • LOVEANDEQUALITY, on 03/26/2008, -1/+0racoon city from resident evil 0 for the nintendo gamecube!
    • madoc62, on 03/26/2008, -0/+4TJ,
      This is cool tech with some awesome potential. However, it is only potential at this point. How long does this stuff last? How much power can it generate over that span? What's the cost of the related equipment necessary to extract the power from these "painted on solar cells?" How long will that stuff last? What is the downside of this tech? How much more expensive is the steel clad in it? Are there any toxic byproducts released in its manufacture? Any released as the solar cells operate? When the cells wear out, how do you replace them? What's the cost of that? Are the cells toxic to dispose of?
      Also, none of these things are gonna be worth a damn at night or on cloudy days or if dust/dirt accumulates on them. And the "power density" of the solar energy that gets down to ground level - even on clear days at the Equator - is pretty low, actually.
      So, this isn't the answer to _ALL_ our energy needs. There's many questions about it which needs be answered first. It is, however a really cool bit of tech that should be further developed.
      • ordig, on 03/26/2008, -1/+1and don't forget:

        how long will this stuff last?
      • Boooohjoke, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1You just killed my hopes and dreams about a better future. Curse you applied reasoning!!
    • NonLeftistDiggr, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1people with physics, science and engineering degrees, at least relative to what's out there right now.
  • ilovelegos, on 03/26/2008, -3/+6I think I smell a new way to make steaks at work.
  • VegasJacqui, on 03/26/2008, -2/+6I need several gallons of that paint!!!!!!!!!!!
    • goodkidyo, on 03/26/2008, -1/+1for your grow op? ALERT ALERT!!!!!
    • rpebble, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1Unfortunately I don't think this is going to be the kind of paint that one could buy to coat your house with, it seems from reading the article that the coating is applied during the rolling process. They say that it could be scaled up, but not that it could be implemented as a consumer product.
  • SmellyFingers, on 03/26/2008, -5/+5I won't approve of this till Mr. Bush has his say on it.
  • TheRealToma, on 03/26/2008, -1/+39I sincerely hope I can paint this on myself and then start shooting energy beams at people.
    • Tr33fiddy, on 03/26/2008, -2/+7Give me a shout when you have that sorted because I've found that when I'm covered in naked women I shoot stuff too. We can be a crime-fighting duo or you can be my arch-nemesis, either's good with me.
      • emailingRob, on 03/26/2008, -1/+1Covered in naked women? I guess the larger lady appeals to you, then.
  • treelovinhippie, on 03/26/2008, -9/+4I still like Kevin Rose's idea of spraying nanoparticles onto grass and capturing the wind energy there.
  • SantaClauz, on 03/26/2008, -4/+3I thought I was about to watch a video of someone using MS Paint on a computer powered by solar energy.

    Then I asked myself: "Why did I even click the link if thats what I thought I was about to see..."
  • kru1e, on 03/26/2008, -6/+3This has nothing on Kevin Rose's Energy efficient Grass blades
  • zaibatsu, on 03/26/2008, -2/+1This better be on the Fp...

    wait where is the cute duck pic :(
  • caponumen, on 03/26/2008, -1/+10Then you paint on all the supporting circuits, inverters etc?
    • cdawzrd, on 03/26/2008, -0/+2That's not that big a deal, they can go near the mains power inlet or something.
  • goodkidyo, on 03/26/2008, -1/+3wouldn't... by the nature of the beast....... this paint also become a serious danger? I could go and overload a large buildings electricity field from my evil electricity pumping van. That thing would probably asplode!
  • WNW3, on 03/26/2008, -0/+16Jay-sus...I wish they would quit talking about these cheap, awesome, solar energy collecting devices and just make them already. Hello solar making guys! I have a roof and I want to make electricity on the cheap. Anytime you are ready.
    • MattS, on 03/26/2008, -3/+4Oh, you're waiting for this? I'm sorry. Let me place the laws of physics aside here and get right on it. Why didn't you say something in the first place? ;)
      • NonLeftistDiggr, on 03/26/2008, -2/+1You were dugg down for that, that's comedy in itself!
    • Suricou, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1You might want to look into solar hot water. Its easy, and cheaper than photovoltaics.
      • WNW3, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1I'm actually looking at a tankless water heater :)
  • calebmiles, on 03/26/2008, -2/+0You could paint a picture and power the TV!
    www.milesmodernart.com
  • elint6, on 03/26/2008, -0/+2Just paint all the world's rooftops white - enough IR radiation will be "mirrored off" into space. Problem solved. Now, getting countries to cooperate, good luck on that one....
  • madoc62, on 03/26/2008, -0/+7Folks,
    This is cool tech with some awesome potential. However, it is only potential at this point. How long does this stuff last? How much power can it generate over that span? What's the cost of the related equipment necessary to extract the power from these "painted on solar cells?" How long will that stuff last? What is the downside of this tech? How much more expensive is the steel clad in it? Are there any toxic byproducts released in its manufacture? Any released as the solar cells operate? When the cells wear out, how do you replace them? What's the cost of that? Are the cells toxic to dispose of?
    Also, none of these things are gonna be worth a damn at night or on cloudy days or if dust/dirt accumulates on them. And the "power density" of the solar energy that gets down to ground level - even on clear days at the Equator - is pretty low, actually.
    So, this isn't the answer to _ALL_ our energy needs. There's many questions about it which needs be answered first. It is, however a really cool bit of tech that should be further developed.
  • Syugo, on 03/26/2008, -3/+1May I say repost?
  • Owwmykneecap, on 03/26/2008, -0/+3Kari from Mythbusters in silver paint...
    The solution to the crisis, well it gets me hot and bothered anyway...
  • wonderworm, on 03/26/2008, -1/+1This is why we need a president who understands how important a progressive energy policy is for America. There is only one candidate who will rush technologies like this to market and will not sell out to the oil lobbyists. You know who that person is so get as many people to vote for him so we can get this great technology and many others, sooner, rather than much later.
  • nemontemi, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1Buried for improper use of hyphens.
  • XchrisX, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1big on claims, short on details
  • NonLeftistDiggr, on 03/26/2008, -0/+2how much energy goes into producing the paint, the coating process, and the extra weight during transport? These questions should be asked at all times with solar technology in general, and of course they are never answered in anything I've found.
  • Xzn31, on 03/26/2008, -0/+2*****.

    Guess we've had our weekly "OMG SOLAR BREAKTHROUGH!!!1" post. For the last two years, we still haven't seen any promised technology. Move along people.
  • BufordT, on 03/26/2008, -0/+1Will this paint work on shingles?
    • skiddles, on 03/27/2008, -0/+1The article seems to imply that the paint needs to be commercially applied to steel. This would be pretty good if you live in Australia where steel roofs are very common. Here in the US, it would seem that not many parts of a newly constructed home are made from steel, and certainly the roof is most commonly, composite shingle. In that regard it would take a shift in the average consumer's taste, in that steel roofs look different, have the acoustic qualities of a steel drum, and are an excellent conductor of heat. These last two problems could probably be overcome.
  • joeanon, on 03/26/2008, -1/+1Thin Film solar technologies can generate enough power to end the use of most fossil fuels.

    We are simply waiting on mass production. Nanosolar already rolled out sheets for 99 cents a watt. That's 5 kilowatts for 5 grand. Installed it might be 10 grand, but it will power your entire home for the next 25+ years and I believe they are guaranteed. The only variable is the intensity of your light source.

    There is no comparable cheaper source of electricity other than in a few areas hydro or wind can be very cost effective. It's an amazing advancement in price.

    If you couple that with high efficiency appliances you can lower your bill enough to make the initial investment much lower. Most people could just buy a couple chunks of thin-film and an inverter and skip the battery part however for more demanding electrics tasks such as seasonal cool and heating batteries will be worth the electric savings quickly.

    So the average household could get off the grid completely using thin-film for around 10k and that's a high estimate. I think most homes could reduce demand and comfortably do around 2k worth of thin-film and pay nothing most of the time for electricity. Install and total cost may be around 4k because labor isn't cheap and it's still a specialized service. OR you can DIY and save save save.

    2k worth of cells and an inverter should generate around 30-40 kilowatts a day. Battery technology may be worth waiting for, BUT unlike cars, home batteries need not be light. Lead Acid is probable still quite cost effective, but lithium may soon surpasses it.

    Even right now using standard PV cells, the average person could reduce their electric demand, probably in half by using less, using smarter and upgrading the most inefficient devices and get off the grid.

    With electric prices going up like all energy prices, it's only getting more and more cost effective. You also have a great move toward efficiency with LED lighting and high efficiency washer, drying, fridge, heat pumps. They are all paying for themselves faster and faster.

    So even today most homes could save money using standard expensive PV cells, especially with state tax incentive programs. State with a lot of sunshine will probably have the best incentives.

    Those without much sun can still benefit from large solar farms on the grid using thin-film which will be cheaper than coal almost anywhere plus no pollution. It's not as if coal plants don't take major maintenance costs and dump tons of pollutions that result in higher medical costs... that's mercury in coal ash people. Your paying for that, just not with money.

    The only limit on thin film is the supply of iridium, but I'd be highly surprised to see that they couldn't find alternatives plus iridium is not expensive and the process requires very little.

    Thin film is almost certainly the future of power generation along with other renewables. With efficient appliances and smart electric use with simply don't need nuclear or coal.
    If the sun stops shinning, we'll have much bigger concerns than the electric going out. It's the most stable fuel we're likely to find and it's delivered for free everyday.

    Thin-film is all over the place, not just nanosolar. They're setting up a megawatt farm in Germany. There just isn't enough big money in the industry and no government investments.
    They give renewable the cold shoulder for consumable fuels because it's simpler to sell fuel and make money than it is to think about providing consumers with efficient options and that their extra money is just as viable to the nation, if not much more so, than them be locked into high energy costs. Wealthy people have gotten very stupid over the years to not grasp that rewarding consumers rewards the national economy and controls the price of wealthy people's investments or equity in the nation, which is much greater than the working class.

    We are more people, but they have much more money to lose, even though they can afford it, their losses are proportionally still much greater when the dollar falls. So, they can afford to go broke longer, and most of the time they are too stupid to care as long as the overall bottom line goes up even if that profit represent them cannibalizing their own industry. For instance, not having the foresight to invest in renewable energy before people have to stop owning homes and they start losing customers and their diversified real estate and stock investments. Wealthy people are simply not smart enough to think beyond immediate profit.

    In many ways the working classes are the most efficient and smartest investors. They don't horde money, they buy what they can afford, so they both live more efficiently and they pass on more of their wealth back into the economy (though many times right through walmart to china).

    Wealthy people, have all this money, but made idiotic uses of it, blowing most it because they can.

    The truth is, the more money you make, the less efficiently you spend it. The more your salary goes up, the more economic burdens you will tend to take on and the less you'll care about 10,000 dollar losses. We need less idiot wealthy people who do nothing and contribute nothing to society and more people willing to work hard and not ask for a Porsche just because they can.

    The only people who are rewarded by these expensive buying habits are the ones who make the products the idiotic wealthy buy such as Hummers and Yachts and such. Items that depreciate immediately and have little market.

    Yet we reward their bloat by giving them lower taxes. WRONG

    Reward the ones embracing efficiency and let the wealthy people afford the taxes they DESERVE to pay. You're making that money on the backs of the working class one way or another, so a more proportional tax is in order.

    Lower costs and increased quantity and quality are the real methods for making money. Not disposable Chinese goods with short term profits. Reward the domestic buyer instead of pushing to foreign imports for higher quality. Now, with our dollar low, is the time to innovate and export.

    Very short put. Consumption is cannibalism of national equity. The wealthy being those who have the most equity to lose. It's a very stupid policy for everyone. Immediate cost should not be the only motivator just because it's the easiest sell. We sell ourselves short like that, we buy expensive cars that don't last and burn more fuel, we buy larger homes as energy prices go up and skimp on energy efficient design and appliances.

    The corporations need to be held responsible by the democracy to put the total overall interests of national equity and well being ever so slightly above that of their own profitability --finally admitting to themselves have their greatest stock in America and stand to pretty much lose everything if the economy collapses. There is no profit margin without America as far as American law should be concerned. Therefore corporations and wealthy must pay the TOTAL costs of their products, including all pollutions and all flawed designs AND they clearly need to be prodded to produce technologies and market that benefit consumers and not simply their profit margins.

    An ideal product to American business is one that is immediately used up and requires constant purchase, but that's the least beneficial to the consumer and national equity. When you break the consumers bank, you have no market left to sell to and recession sets in.

    The hording of wealth has little benefit to national equity when it just around betting on markets.
    Then your currency falls and the money your horded is worth that much less. As long as products are quality and long lasting the consumer cannot waste their money so easily on disposable crap that just keeps the gears turning, but for no apparent reason.

    Corporations must admit their place a democratic entities. They have an obligation to be patriotic in their overall actions and consider national interests or face democratic wrath, and the angry empowered mob is not a pretty thing. Corporations need to be taught a lesson to abide to national interests such as objecting to constitutional abuse and any good citizen, not committing price fixing like any good citizen, not using slander as a means for profit, not succeeding national interests for FOREIGN profitability.

    Basically most corporations have put their self interest FAR beyond that of their nation and are walking the path of traitors to their nation. They are legally to be viewed as citizens of the nation, even though they are corporations, but they are not held to moral standards like citizens, they don't go to prison like citizens, they aren't subject to ligation like most citizens,
    they don't pay individual taxes like citizens, they don't fight wars, they don't grow old and sometimes they never die.

    Personally I think they are not citizens and we simply need to adjust our view to more correctly judge their place and obligation to the nation. The original model for a corporation was a public service, heavily controlled by the state, supposedly via the public. At least THEN we have democracy oversight from the start, not after the fact. Corporations do so much cover up, the idea that we have to pay millions to investigate their corruption is yet another insult to the tax payers. They should be held to strict standards to be allowed incorporation. Otherwise they should face the full liability of a standard business.

    They advantage was to interest wealthy business owners in providing cheaper publicly beneficial services by reducing their liability. Hence the corporation was born out of conjoined public and business interests. Seems to me, the public part of those interests have been replaced with the shareholders bottom line and the shareholders are not representative of the democracy of America. Must we buy stock in mega corporation to have a say in their actions without our own nation.. or is this a democracy.

    We are overlooking this major flaw in fiscal interests. We are fools to trade short term profit for long term sustainability. That is, as I've said, the cannibalization of national equity and our nation with it. What kind of fool would go along with a strategy of spend and borrow under the impression their currency is invincible ? American's have the foresight of fruit flies and now we are paying or it. Not simply due to our ignorance, but due to the great bloat and lack of sustainability of our economy and way of living. In the face of an energy crisis, we laughed and bought SUVs.

    Are you still laughing from your tent house ? Are you still laughing when your high pay defense job dries up. Did you fail to believe and prepare for the energy crunch. Well, at least there is still some social natural selection happening.

    We can only say, we told you so since the 70s this was happening. Your President, Carter, informed you that oil was bound to skyrocket in costs at some point and we have no control over those costs. He suggested we use less energy... you laughed at him.

    While you may finally realize the cost of energy. The reality is that you'll likely continue that pattern of short sightedness.

    You'll say you want change, you'll demand change, but you yourself won't change much at all and as soon as the economy seems stable we'll return to corrupt as usual. We have been taught not to learn somehow. Not to question, not to get out line, not to think for ourselves sucking hope through a straw. Give us a drop a hope and we'll make it into a mountain of *****. Welcome to aMERica.
  • LOVEANDEQUALITY, on 03/26/2008, -1/+0it would b neat if google just buys everything including dig!
  • 64bprophet, on 03/27/2008, -0/+1You could start making wind farms out of this stuff and get double duty from them! (Referencing article) So if one manufacturer made 1 wind farm it could pull for as much as 50 wind farms!?
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