Spray-on solar cells make production more affordable


Electrical Commissioning In Industrial Power Systems

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$599
Coupon Price:
$499
Reserve Your Seat Today

Spray-on solar cells use CIGS nanoparticle ink and roll-to-roll printing on plastic or stainless steel, enabling low-cost BIPV coatings and paintable photovoltaics, though current prototypes reach about 1% efficiency with commercialization at 10%.

 

Inside the Issue

Spray-on solar cells use CIGS inks and roll-to-roll printing to create low-cost, paintable photovoltaics for BIPV.

  • CIGS nanoparticle ink replaces costly vacuum deposition
  • Roll-to-roll printing like newspapers
  • Prints on plastic or stainless steel substrates
  • Potential for BIPV and paintable wall coatings
  • Prototype ~1% efficiency; 10% targets commercialization

 

A team of scientists from the University of Texas at Austin has developed a type of spray-on solar cells that could lower costs of production dramatically.

 

The concept of spray-on solar cells is by no means a new approach - the Australian National University has been working on one for the past three years. The University of Texas at Austin team led by engineer Brian Korgel uses copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) as the main component for the ink used to manufacture the solar cell.

This nanoparticle ink allows manufacturers to completely deviate from the conventional expensive method of solar cell production. Using this ink, solar cells including flexible designs can be made through a roll-to-roll printing process, similar to how newspapers are printed. Plastic substrate and stainless steel are a couple of possible bases for the printing.

The way the researchers see it, the ink might also be potent when painted on bare walls of buildings. Although yet to be achieved, this possibility gives the spray-on solar cell the potential to become widely used as a building-integrated photovoltaic, and could help revolutionize solar use in architecture. "You'd have to paint the light-absorbing material and a few other layers as well," Korgel said. "This is one step in the direction towards paintable solar cells."

However, with the current prototype displaying an efficiency of around one percent, Korgel's team still has a long way to go, much like organic photovoltaics seeking better efficiency. "If we get to 10 percent, then there's real potential for commercialization," Korgel said. "If it works, I think you could see it being used in three to five years."

 

Related News

Related News

New Power Grid “Report Card” Reveal Dangerous Vulnerabilities

U.S. Power Grid D+ Rating underscores aging infrastructure, rising outages, cyber threats, EMP and solar…
View more

Price Spikes in Ireland Fuel Concerns Over Dispatachable Power Shortages in Europe

ISEM Price Volatility reflects Ireland-Northern Ireland grid balancing pressures, driven by dispatchable power shortages, day-ahead…
View more

Iran eyes transmitting electricity to Europe as region’s power hub

Iran Electricity Grid Synchronization enables regional interconnection, cross-border transmission, and Caspian-Europe energy corridors, linking Iraq,…
View more

APS asks customers to conserve energy after recent blackouts in California

Arizona Energy Conservation Alert urges APS and TEP customers to curb usage during a heatwave,…
View more

Australia PM rules out taxpayer funded power plants amid energy battle

ACCC energy underwriting guarantee proposes government-backed certainty for new generation, cutting electricity prices and supporting…
View more

Intellirent – New Regional Service Center supporting the Southwest

Intellirent is pleased to announce the expansion of its regional footprint with the opening of…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified