Fellman, Megan. (2013, August 14).
Plastic solar cells’ new design promises bright
Fellman’s Article
introduced the topic of plastic solar cells and their potentially positive
future. While silicon solar cells have been used for years as alternative
source of energy, they are heavy and are expensive to produce. Silicon solar cells
are expensive mainly due to the cost that it takes to purify the silicon. Plastic
(or polymer) based solar cells are much lighter and flexible which opens up
possibilities that are not available with silicon solar cells. One example
cited in the article is the possibility of manufacturing it in rolls, much like
paper is produced. However, plastic solar cells have not been a viable option
due to inefficiency. Though the science behind how solar cells function is very
complex, researchers at Northwestern University and other universities around
the world have come up with a way to make plastic solar cells nearly as
efficient as typical silicon cells. Simply put, in past inefficient plastic
cells, the electrons (electricity) being donated by the polymer chains was
being wasted as it would be recaptured by the cell due to disorganization. What
the new research has been able to do is orient the polymer chains and other
components within the solar cell in order to greatly improve upon the
power-conversion efficiency.
Above picture demonstrating the flexibility of plastic solar cells
The article was based
on research and featured quotes from Tobin Marks of Northwestern University. The article started out with a good “hook” of
how using energy from the sunlight is a prominent form of alternative energy.
However, after this opening statement it stopped talking about the economics
and possibilities involved with plastic solar cells, which would have been
helpful to any reader. However I did find another article
that covers some more of these topics for those who are interested. Fellman’s
article also got very technical, as it assumed that you knew what a fill-factor
and other technical terms are, but it was still very informative for the
experienced reader. It also prompts further research on what an inexperienced
reader might not know about solar cells. Currently, I believe that silicon
solar cells are not usually an economically viable option compared to coal-produced
energy due to the large upfront cost. If plastic solar cells could greatly
reduce the upfront cost, this would encourage more people to buy into solar
energy. A flexible product would also have many more applications. But when will
(if ever) plastic solar cells be a sustainable energy option in the future?
What are the effects that plastic solar cells would have on alternative energy?
Should we look at replacing coal power with plastic solar cells or other
alternative energy should the technology make it sustainable and economical?
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ReplyDeleteThere is no question that our world will soon be using more solar energy techniques, including these plastic solar cells. To answer the question when this new product could come about is difficult to say. By only comparing a few years of technological advancements, you can see how fast products can be produced or even delayed. However, in regards to the plastic solar cells, it seems that the technology is still an ongoing process and needs more time. There is the process of inventing, testing, advertising, approval from the state and federal laws, and finally selling the product. Then once this new product is finally introduced a new or advanced product is already in the making. However, I would expect to see this product within five or ten years, depending on the processes discussed previously. Even though it may take a few years to be able to use, it is an essential product that is needed for our environment and large companies around the world. Especially in this day and age where so much energy is being consumed every minute of a person’s life, and honestly there is only so much our earth can handle from coal power.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to plastic solar cells being a sustainable energy option in the future, alternative energy products can sometimes be frustrating to follow. I have read or watched shows on so many interesting and promising energy options. Yet 99% of them never come into fruition. Maybe it is due to the long production process that the previous poster mentioned, or maybe it has to do with the tremendous clout that traditional energy companies carry in Washington. Either way, I don't see coal being replaced anytime soon, at least until we run low on supply.
ReplyDelete- Nate L
The need for sustainable alternative energy is fast approaching and solar energy has the biggest upside. To be able to harness the full potential of the sun could eliminate any energy concerns and perhaps help propel humans to a different level of civilization. Plastic solar cell technology will continue to be improved on, and as the cost decreases, more of the population will have access to some form of this energy. Even today, countries like Israel utilize outdated solar panels on every rooftop to offset water heating costs. Using plastic solar cells on roof tops of houses and cars, or on street lights and roadways, could help retard our race to use up our fossil fuels until the advances in technology finally emerge.
DeletePersonally, I don't see plastic solar cells as being chief source of energy in the world. We, as a society, have become accustomed to the incredibly high power output, created only by fossil fuels. Alternative, sustainable energy sources will have to work in conjunction with each other to meet the demands of the world. Some areas of the world may not find these plastic solar cells as being a good source of energy because they may not get many hours of sunlight in a day. Areas closer to the poles have times of the year where the sun in seen for only a few hours per day. Even then, the sunlight is not very direct, and would therefore not allow the plastic cells to produce much energy.
ReplyDeletePlastic solar cells may have a place in the world of alternative energy, but that won't be for a little ways down the road. Fossil fuels won't get overtaken as the chief sources of energy until we exhaust our supply of them, sadly.
I totally agree that solar cells, plastic or not, will not be a chief source of energy due to the limitations you brought up, as well as the major problem of having to store it if you don't have sunlight all the time. I personally believe that one area of energy that needs to be invested in is nuclear. It is very clean and actually just as safe if not safer then most industries, especially if the extremely strict regulations are followed. There is the problem of waste, but if nuclear was made a prominent source of energy, it could still be cost-effective and taking care of the waste could still be done safely and relatively easily. The problem is the public and the media have given media have given nuclear power a bad name, so most people think it is scary, bad, dangerous, and not environmentally friendly, when in reality it is the opposite. As you said though, energy will be primarily provided by fossil fuels for quite a while in the future.
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