Breakthrough efficiency, paintable solar material

[Steve]

Want to paint your house with solar paint? Some scientists in Canada have invented a new paintable polymer that is sensitive to infrared light and can convert it to electricity with a 30% efficiency, compared with around 6% for traditional solar panels.

Pretty neat stuff...

http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/050110-832.asp

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1105319242587_49?hub=SciTech

As with all major new technology, they are predicting it's five years away from actually being on the market. :(

[honestdragon]

That is TOO cool. This sounds like the windows I read about as well. They can do the same thing as far as providing shade or letting sunlight in.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,60301,00.html

[JeffandSara]

Steve--

We have probably more than 300 days of sunshine a year (NOT to rub it in for you Washingtonians, sorry! :oops: ), so solar paint could be a huge source of energy here.

Let's see, in about five years we may still be working on the garage, carports and heavy equipment barn... not to mention the renovations of our little old log cabin. There ought to be SOMETHING we can paint with that stuff! :D

Keep us posted.

Sara :D

[hawkiye]

This is some great stuff. I believe we are on the cusp of some major break throughs in energy, it's just a matter of time!

Blayne

[switherow]

This is impressive! Between solar powered shirts and the wireless technology possibilities, we might be living like the Jetsons sooner than later! ;-)