According to a press release from EurekaAlert, researchers at the University at Buffalo are one of several teams working on photovoltaic cells that “could one day be applied to surfaces as easily as paint is to walls.”
“Most Americans want the U.S. to place more emphasis on developing solar power, recent polls suggest. A major impediment, however, is the cost to manufacture, install and maintain solar panels. Simply put, most people and businesses cannot afford to place them on their rooftops. Fortunately, that is changing because researchers such as Qiaoqiang Gan, University at Buffalo assistant professor of electrical engineering, are helping develop a new generation of photovoltaic cells that produce more power and cost less to manufacture than what’s available today. One of the more promising efforts, which Gan is working on, involves the use of plasmonic-enhanced organic photovoltaic materials. These devices don’t match traditional solar cells in terms of energy production but they are less expensive and – because they are made (or processed) in liquid form – can be applied to a greater variety of surfaces.”
Solar roofing tiles, solar glass, “peel and stick” solar panels, and soon – if Qiaogiang Gan is successful – “paint on” solar panels… all leading to my idea of a truly integrated “green” building.
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EurekAlert! is an online, global news service operated by The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Melanie Dawn Molina Wood is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate LLC in Miami, Florida. She is an Eco-Associate and is currently working on her LEED Green Associate’s accreditation.