Scientists at the University of Sheffield in the U.K. have found a way to spray solar energy cells from a can.
Perovskite solar cells, which are made of a mineral structure combination of organic compound and metal, are considered to be one of the biggest breakthroughs made in science in recent years, according to The Independent. These solar cells are inexpensive and have a better impact on the environment than the silicon-based solar cells used throughout the industry today.
The new spray-on process opens up the opportunity to spray solar cells on just about anything.
"There is a lot of excitement around perovskite-based photovoltaics," said Prof. David Lidzey, lead researcher of the project. "Remarkably, this class of material offers the potential to combine the high performance of mature solar cell technologies with the low embedded energy costs of production of organic photovoltaics."
Perovskite solar cells have shown to be impressive, as the strongest of these cells are able to achieve as high as 19 percent efficiency, while organic cells reach 11 percent efficiency with the new spray-on method, Gizmodo reported.
Potential uses for this technique include spraying the cells on electric cars so they can keep charging their batteries, as well as applying them in new designs for solar panels.
While these solar cells are almost twice as efficient as organic solar cells, they are less efficient than silicon cells by six percent, The Independent reported.
Alan South, chief innovation officer of SolarCentury, said the spray-on method is a huge achievement because of its ability to bring in money, but added that it will be tough competing with silicon cells, which have been used for decades.
"It's unknown how long it will take for this kind of innovation to become mainstream and electricity price rises are real right now," South said.
