# Solar Spray Paint Researchers Develop Spray-On Solar Ink for Rooftops By Katherinev123 | Published 2009-11-10 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spray-on-solar-ink References: [news.discovery](http://news.discovery.com/tech/spray-paint-with-solar-panels.html) & [green.venturebeat](http://green.venturebeat.com/2009/08/26/innovalight-says-spray-on-solar-ink-is-coming-soon/) It’s hard to convince the average person to replace their regular shingles for solar power panels, but with researchers like professor Brian Korgel of the [University of Texas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinting-resin), Austin who are developing spray-on solar ink, the popularity of solar power could signficantly increase. The spray-on solar ink is a concept created by Korgel and his research team in the hopes of making it more simple and less expensive to convert one’s roof into an eco-friendly one. Korgel provides a description of the solar ink: > We’re coming up with a cheap way to make solar cells. Right now, the way they’re made is in expensive, vacuum processes, using high temperature. And what we’re trying to do is develop essentially an ink or a paint that you can simply spread on a substrate at room temperature or under a heat lamp that will then work as a solar cell. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Spray-on Solar Ink:** The development of spray-on solar ink could revolutionize the solar power industry by making it easier and more affordable to convert rooftops into eco-friendly energy sources. - **Cost-effective Solar Panels:** The concept of spray-on solar ink has the potential to disrupt the traditional manufacturing processes of expensive solar panels, making solar energy more accessible to a wider audience. - **Simplified Solar Conversion:** The introduction of spray-on solar ink offers a simplified and convenient method for converting rooftops into solar power generators, eliminating the need for complex installation processes. ### Who This Affects Most - **Solar Power:** The solar power industry stands to benefit greatly from the development of spray-on solar ink, as it opens up new possibilities for widespread adoption of solar energy. - **Construction:** The construction industry could incorporate spray-on solar ink into building materials, allowing for eco-friendly and cost-effective energy solutions in residential and commercial structures. - **Renewable Energy:** The renewable energy industry can embrace spray-on solar ink as an innovative solution, driving growth and increasing market penetration of solar power technologies. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heritage Building-Blending Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-solar.md) - [Flexible Solar Film Energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heliafilm.md) - [Efficient Scalable Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perovskia-solar.md) - [Colored Glass Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beautiful-solar-panels.md) - [Quick-Install Solar Shingles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-energy-shingle.md) - [Exceptionally Efficient Solar Cells](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/efficient-solar-cell.md) - [Squid-Inspired Smart Windows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/liquidfilled-panel.md) - [Origami-Inspired Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sego-innovations.md) - [Lunar Material-Based Solar Cells](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-dust.md)