PV film

[rye1057]

I'm considering creating a project car and heard of some recent developments in photovoltaic film. Recent reports were showing nearly 40% efficiency in the best cases. Is anyone familiar with the tech? I wanted to know if i would lose efficiency by coating with transparent vinyl. I'm looking to have a fully electrically active exposed surface.

[Kathleen]

I got involved w/ShowMeSolar (another non-profit bunch of do-gooders) and one thing I learned was that big "breakthroughs' hit the news regularly, but are often YEARS away from actually hitting the market. When these products do hit the market, they are the most expensive type of technology out there, so mere (financial) mortals should probably be looking at what's currently on the market unless they're willing to wait many years. Having said that, you might want to contact Jeff Owens of ShowMeSolar just in case there has been an extreme breakthrough that I just haven't heard about.

jowens@showmesolar.org

Sorry for being a buzz-kill.

Hope that helps,

Kathleen