Presented a few days ago in Turin, the “blueberry” organic photovoltaic panel has already made half the world talk about itself. Nothing to do with the traditional silicon modules available on the market: the solar cells of this so-called third generation prototype are instead based on a titanium dioxide paste impregnated with an organic photosensitive dye obtained, in fact, from blueberries.
He is about to end up invested, his mother saves him Presented a few days ago in that of Turin, photovoltaic panelorganic "blueberry" has already made half the world talk about itself. Nothing to do with the traditional silicon modules available on the market: the solar cells of this so-called third generation prototype are instead based on a paste of titanium dioxide impregnated with a photosensitive dye organic obtained, in fact, from blueberries.
The innovative technology of this model was patented just a year ago by the Swiss researcher Michael Gratzel, winner of the prize Millennium Technology 2010 per le sue Dye-SensitizedSolar Cells (roughly translated as "dye sensitive solar cells").
Made by the company Solaronix, these “blueberry” solar cells are the result of the collaboration between Cyanine Technologies Spa e Pianeta Srl on the one hand and University of Turin on the other, with the contribution of the municipality of Settimo Torinese. For the record, it must be said that the same cells were also made with clay pigments (the color, instead of purple, turned out to be yellow), but the technology is identical. As for theenergy efficiency, I am 40 i watt al metro quadro which can be obtained from solar radiation, 25 those from diffuse irradiation.
The advantages of this technology are manifold. First of all the raw material: compared to the silicon, expensive, the blueberry (or clay) is a renewable raw material and available in large quantities. Furthermore, the disposal of the components would be much easier, since it is a question of 100% organic material. However, a question spontaneously arises: how many kilos of blueberries does it take for a square meter of panel? Waiting for an answer, know that the first "blueberry" system will be installed in the next few days on the windows of a public building in Settimo Torinese.
Roberto Zambon
