EnSol AS and the University of Leicester are currently developing a solar film, which is a spray-on substance that will convert whatever is sprayed into a solar cell. Using nanotechnology, EnSol AS is hopefully producing a product that can be sprayed on any surface, building exteriors and windows in order to harness the sun's energy. The spray is transparent and will only cause a slight tint when a thin coating is sprayed on windows.
The spray can be spread over a wide area very easily, making it cheap to create new solar cells. EnSol AS hopes to have the product commercially available by 2016.
Spray-On Solar Panels
EnSol AS is Producing Eco Energy in a Can
Trend Themes
1. Spray-on Solar Panels - The development of a spray-on substance that can convert any surface into a solar cell opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the solar panel industry.
2. Nanotechnology - The use of nanotechnology in creating a transparent and spreadable solar film can lead to disruptive innovations in the materials science and energy sectors.
3. Solar Energy Integration - The ability to spray solar cells onto various surfaces creates opportunities for disruptive innovation in the architecture and construction industries, allowing for seamless integration of solar energy generation into buildings.
Industry Implications
1. Solar Panel Manufacturing - The production of spray-on solar panels presents a disruptive innovation opportunity within the solar panel manufacturing industry, allowing for more cost-effective and versatile solar cell production.
2. Materials Science - The development of nanotechnology-based spray-on solar films offers disruptive innovation opportunities within the materials science industry, enabling the creation of new materials with advanced energy-harvesting capabilities.
3. Architecture and Construction - The integration of spray-on solar cells into building exteriors and windows creates disruptive innovation opportunities within the architecture and construction industries, providing sustainable energy solutions with minimal design impact.