Organic photovoltaics is slowly winning over the markets. There are many examples and prototypes, thanks to the numerous researches carried out on organic materials and their use to produce energy. Among them blueberries and spinach, but BioSolar, a company that has long been involved in the sector, has received the first commercial order
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Il organic photovoltaics it is slowly managing to conquer the markets. There are many examples and prototypes, thanks to the numerous researches carried out on organic materials and their use to produce energy. Among them i blueberries and spinach, but BioSolar, a company that has long been involved in the sector, received the first commercial order.
BioSolar is known for using i semi for the realization of its panels. And finally the company will see its own in circulation BioBacksheet, officially on sale. What is it about? Known as the backsheet, the protective coating found on every photovoltaic cell, for BioSolar becomes organic. Instead of using classic films made of petroleum, BioBacksheets are made from a proprietary material based on cotton and castor.
In any case, these products are not used for food. Castor seeds are even poisonous to humans, but useful for creating so-called materials bio-based to generate renewable energy. Castor beans help create a special resin, which is processed to form a nylon-like polyamide material. Cotton helps to make it more solid thanks to the hard cellulosic fiber. The result is a material very resistant, as BioSolar explains: “This new hard, organic material will be able to offer the durability characteristics of conventional petroleum-derived plastic” ensuring equal electromagnetic properties, mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and weather resistance. To make the BioSolar panels even more sustainable is the fact that cotton rags and raw cotton are used.
Among other advantages, there is also the production cost which is lower than petroleum-based coatings, typically made with polyester film, as the base materials are cheaper than petroleum. Furthermore, the BioSolar panels partly consist of a single layer composite instead of laminated layers.
"Our patent pending BioBacksheet is the first and only certified solar panel made from renewable materials, offering two distinct features unmatched by either its predecessors" he said David Lee, CEO of the company. According to Lee, his strengths are above all hishigh thermal conductivity. BioBacksheet quickly draws heat from solar cells, which can increase the total power of the solar panel and also improve long-term durability by decreasing temperature fluctuations. Second, the certification of solar panels allows for one more sustainable marketing and socially responsible.
What will they be used for by the new customer, whose name is still unknown? The company revealed that the first shipment of the BioBacksheets will be used for photovoltaic panels used to charge electric commercial vehicles.
Francesca Mancuso
Read also:
- Organic photovoltaics: solar cells from spinach
- Organic photovoltaic: in Settimo Torinese solar panels are made with blueberries
- Photovoltaics: from MIT solar cells made from cut grass
