50 to Watch Case Studies: Increasing Access to Renewable Energy
REPURPOSING SURFACES TO GENERATE SOLAR ENERGY
Power Roll has developed flexible solar films that do not utilize rare earth metals and can be used on any building surface.
How it Works
Using microgrooves for the conductive surface and no silicon, the PET plastic based solar film is manufactured through a process similar to note pressing and is condensed to 300g/m2. This ultra- light film is more affordable than conventional solar films and can be used on surfaces with low force bearing capabilities.
Potential Impact
The shift away from using rare earth metals in the PV industry reduces the negative environmental effects of mining them. Large solar farm infrastructure is no longer needed as films can be used on any existing surface. Reducing the cost of renewable energy increases access for more people.
Ambition
To reach 10 GW of manufacturing capacity worldwide, with 60 million m2/annum of film produced. To bring the cost of solar film manufacturing down to $0.05/watt.
“POWER ROLL HAS DEVELOPED A UNIQUE MICROGROOVE TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM FOR ENABLING THE NEXT GENERATION OF SOLAR AND STORAGE PRODUCTS WITH GLOBAL POTENTIAL.”
Iain Meager, Carbon Trust
