Summary

UF Researchers have found a way to make solar power more efficient and more affordable. The development could spark a new wave of conversion to solar energy as a source of power.

Source CONUS Archive
Record ID 165929
Story Slug New Solar Cell
Location Gainesville, FL
Format VO/SOT*
Date 7/21/1999
Archive Time 6:54
TRT 1:05
Supers Gainesville, FL Dr. Sheng Li / UF Electrical Engineer
Video Description sot doctor Li, man observing solar lab experiment, sun and solar panels, man observing solar energy from panels.
Description UF Researchers have found a way to make solar power more efficient and more affordable. The development could spark a new wave of conversion to solar energy as a source of power.
Script LEAD: TWENTY YEARS AGO EXPERTS TOUTED SOLAR POWER AS A REVOLUTIONARY NEW ENERGY SOURCE. BUT CAPTURING THE 'CHEAP' POWER OF THE SUN PROVED EXPENSIVE. NOW ENGINEERS HAVE DEVELOPED A METHOD TO PUT THE SOLAR REVOLUTION BACK ON TRACK. ---------------------TAKE VO--------------------- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCHERS HAVE DESIGNED A SYSTEM TO MAKE SOLAR SELLS CHEAPER AND LIGHTER THAN EVER BEFORE. TRADITIONAL SOLAR PANELS LIKE THESE RELY ON SILICON-BASED CELLS... BUT THOSE CELLS ARE VERY HEAVY AND COSTLY TO MANUFACTURE. EXPERTS SAY SIZE AND COST ISSUES HAVE BECOME THE BIGGEST IMPEDIMENTS TO THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY... YET ENGINEERS BELIEVE THIS NEW APPROACH WILL HELP HASTEN ITS EXPANSION IN THE 21ST CENTURY. BY MAKING IT A LITTLE LESS EXPENSIVE TO CAPTURE THE POWER OF THE SUN. --------------------TAKE SOT---------------------- "In Solar Cells, there are two key factors. One is efficiency, of course efficiency is important. But the cost of manufacturing the solar cells is another key factor." --------------------TAKE VO----------------------- TO OVERCOME THE COST FACTOR... ENGINEERS PRODUCE WHAT ARE CALLED 'THIN-FILM' SOLAR CELLS... ONE HUNDRED TIMES SMALLER THAN THEIR SILICON COUNTERPARTS. THESE CELLS CAN BE CREATED AT A FRACTION OF THE COST AND PRODUCED ON CHEAP MATERIALS SUCH AS GLASS OR PLASTIC. ENGINEERS SAY THE CHEAPER SOLAR CELLS COULD BE ON THE MARKET IN LESS THAN A DECADE. FLORIDA
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