Spray on solar cells

[Daox]

Really cool idea. Its basically a spray on paint that converts sunlight to electricity. Imagine the applications not only to vehicles, but to building siding etc. Horrible efficiency though.

Inhabitat Spray-On Solar Cells Energize Almost Any Surface

[MetroMPG]

The argument goes: the efficiency isn't as important if it's cheap enough to spray lots and lots of it.

3-5 years though. That's right about the time we're supposed to have hydrogen cars, right?

[i_am_socket]

Solar powered electrolysis for your hydrogen car?

If they could hit 10% and have it publicly available in 3-5 years, I'd buy a can or 60

[groar]

I can't imagine how you get the electrons from it. Do you simply put two cables anywhere on the surface ?

A common solar cell is a small surface and any point is close to a cable. Does a car roof can be considered a big single solar cell ?

How does an irregular surface can work ? What if the surface is concave and/or convex ?

At least with current solar cells, each one has a voltage and an amperage so you can build a panel able to charge a battery. How do you calculate the potential voltage and amperage of any surface ?

Also, what happens when 2 surfaces are put in contact ?
And...

Of course such a technology could be very interesting, but currently I can't imagine how technically it can be used.

Denis.

[stevet47]

Hmm.. someone finally took my idea. lol
I have thought for years that a 2 part spay-on solar cell would be possible.
One paint layer would be the + and the other -