Now THAT’S a commencement speech

[dimsah]

I only looked up Konarka so far. Interesting concept, but I haven't been able to find the efficiency and life. Those would be very important numbers.

I can't pretend I know all the facts about this but logically if the solar ink is able to absorb multiple solar wavelengths and use indirect light as well then it
would be more efficient than regular silicon panels because panels are supposedly unable to absorb anything other than visible light and generally don't work well with indirect light.

Life of the "power plastic" may not be too important if they're able to mass produce the product, keeping the cost down.

It's appealing that they can produce these panels using the technology already implemented in newspaper production.

[Wild Cobra]

I can't pretend I know all the facts about this but logically if the solar ink is able to absorb multiple solar wavelengths and use indirect light as well then it
would be more efficient than regular silicon panels because panels are supposedly unable to absorb anything other than visible light and generally don't work well with indirect light.

Life of the "power plastic" may not be too important if they're able to mass produce the product, keeping the cost down.

It's appealing that they can produce these panels using the technology already implemented in newspaper production.

I agree with the premise. Still, multiple wavelengths does not means a greater overall efficiency. maybe each wavelength is less efficient in absorption. Without testing data, it's hard to say.

I remember reading an article in the 70's from either Popular Mechanics, or Popular Science that had a new method for developing cheap solar cells directly from sand, rather than silicon. It all sounded good and it never panned out.

Research corporations do is most often money thrown away. Then, the few things that pan out, they have to recoup the research cost for failed research as well. As the can hold the patents for long periods of time, they still don't always recoup their money, as the market may not be willing to pay a high enough price.

Too many variables. There are several I'm sure I have never thought of.