[Robotgroup] C-NET News: Nanosolar 'prints' first flexible solar cells

[Vern Graner]

 From this link:

http://www.news.com/greentech/8301-11128_3-9835241-54.html?tag=nefd.top

Comes this article:

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December 18, 2007 6:17 AM PST
Nanosolar 'prints' first flexible solar cells
Posted by Martin LaMonica

Well-financed solar start-up Nanosolar on Tuesday said it has started 
shipping its flexible thin-film solar cells, meeting its own deadline 
and marking a milestone for alternative solar-cell materials.

On the company's blog, CEO Martin Roscheisen announced that the first 
megawatt of its solar panels will be used as part of a power plant in 
eastern Germany.

The release of Nanosolar's first products is significant because the 
company develops a process to print solar cells made out of CIGS, or 
copper indium gallium selenide, a combination of elements that many 
companies are pursuing as an alternative to silicon.

The 5-year-old company, based in San Jose, Calif., has raised more than 
$100 million in financing and has drawn in Google founders Sergey Brin 
and Larry Page as investors.

Because of the high price of silicon, several companies are making 
thin-film cells from CIGS, but a number have run into technical problems.

Roscheisen said the manufacturing process the company has developed will 
enable it to eventually deliver solar electricity for less than a dollar 
per watt, which would be significantly cheaper than fossil fuel sources 
of power generation.

To mark the occasion, Roscheisen said the first commercial panels will 
get special treatment: the first that came off the rolls will become 
part of a Nanosolar exhibit; the second will be auctioned off on eBay; 
and the third will be donated to the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose.

In a previous interview, Roscheisen said all of Nanosolar's anticipated 
production in 2008 has already been ordered.
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The real question is, can they print it on a ping pong ball...? :)

Vern

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