Researchers at the University of Texas have developed a new solar energy technology that could lead to unprecedented applications.

 

According to the university, the technology involves nanoparticles that would allow solar cells to be printed onto a material or painted on to a surface such as a building or roof. The technology could have the potential to reduce solar costs to as much as one-tenth of their current levels if it becomes widespread.

 

"That's essentially what's needed to make solar-cell technology and photovoltaics widely adopted," said Brian Korel, a chemical engineer at the university, citing the current costs of solar energy as a factor that keeps it from overtaking fossil fuel sources.

 

The university notes that the nanomaterials used for this process are 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, which would also allow the development of more efficient solar materials than ever. The material used in the process is said to be copper indium gallium selenide instead of silicon, which is more commonly used in current photovoltaic panels.

 

A number of other ultra-thin solar energy technologies are in development at various universities and corporations, each of them offering a chance for exciting new products and energy options.