| Polymer solar cells are also referred to as plastic solar | | | | thinly will introduce them to unique markets. Currently |
| cells, and are types of organic cells. The future of | | | | research is also pointing to creating polymer solar cell |
| these solar cells is assured because they are much | | | | sheets that can be installed easily against window |
| less expensive and more disposable than traditional | | | | panes and also produce an attractive tinting effect. |
| solar cells that are produced from silicon crystal and | | | | One drawback to plastic solar cells is their limited |
| involve a complicated production process. At this point | | | | lifetime of a few years compared to conventional |
| in time polymer solar cells are not produced | | | | solar cells which last decades. The relative inexpensive |
| commercially by many companies, mostly because | | | | cost of manufacturing and the less damaging effects |
| their efficiency rate has been only as high as six | | | | on the environment when it comes to disposing of |
| percent. | | | | these cells can be used to counter this decreased life |
| Energy efficiency refers to the percentage of energy | | | | span. |
| that is stored in a solar cell that can be converted into | | | | Currently Denmark is the country leading the way into |
| usable energy. At the rate that these cells are being | | | | industrializing polymer solar cells. They have |
| researched, companies predict that they will reach the | | | | constructed solar panels with the newer technology |
| seven to ten percent efficiency rate they need to | | | | and might just become the forefront polymer solar cell |
| compete with the bigger solar cell producers within the | | | | panel exporter. Universities within that country include |
| next three years. | | | | the technology as part of their studies and have come |
| The size, weight and overall flexibility of these cells | | | | across many of the new breakthroughs that are |
| makes them ideal as energy sources for portable | | | | starting to make this energy resource feasible. |
| products like laptop battery chargers, and used in items | | | | While we do have to wait a bit before we are going |
| such as umbrellas and tents. These solar energy | | | | to start seeing these solar energy solutions in our |
| sources can be derived solely from ink jet printers or | | | | clothes, on our cars and in stores as heating solutions |
| photographic film manufacturing equipment. This means | | | | for our homes, they are something any green thinking |
| that a large supply of energy can be derived with low | | | | individual will want to keep an eye out for. Just thinking |
| manufacturing costs. | | | | about the possible uses for a power source that |
| While most of the plans are aiming towards using | | | | travels easily will boost researchers and entrepreneurs |
| polymer solar cells with niche markets, improved | | | | into action. |
| efficiency and their unique ability to be spread very | | | | |