‘Solar Paint Technology Could Be Cheaper Alternative To Panels: ‘Billions Of Lightsensitive Particles [are] Mixed In

Solar panels are already an affordable energy solution because they generate enough energy to pay for themselves and cover some costs over their lifetime. However, they require some upfront investment, and some people (and homeowners associations) don't like the way they look.

What if you could use this energy to produce electricity from sunlight without installing solar panels? That's the beauty of solar energy, says the Solar Action Alliance.

The idea behind solar paint (also called photovoltaic paint) is simple. According to the understanding of sunlight, it looks like ordinary color, but there are billions of light-sensitive particles mixed in it.

When you paint it like the side of a house, it becomes a hidden solar panel that generates electricity when the sun hits circuits connected to it, Trehuger says.

Just like regular solar panels, this can be a great way to save money as you can reduce your energy bills. This will be good for the environment because users will not need as much energy as generated by burning coal or oil.

According to the Solar Action Alliance, this is not just a theory. The University at Buffalo has developed a light-sensitive material that can be used as solar paint, and the University of Toronto has developed a sprayable material that produces solar wallpaper that can be directly painted.

“My dream is that one day two technicians with Ghostbusters bags will come to your house and spray your roof,” said Ilan Kramer, a research scientist who helped design the study.

According to the Solar Action Alliance, efficiency is the only thing stopping this dream from becoming a reality. Today, conventional solar panels are about 20% efficient, meaning they convert only 20% of sunlight into electricity. Experts cited by the Solar Action Alliance estimate that solar panels must have an efficiency of about 10 percent to make sense as a commercial product.

The best sun protection formula is only 8% effective, according to the association, but this new technology is getting closer to viability.

Imagine pairing it with solar glass windows that capture all the sunlight possible and instantly turn every home and business into a power generator, producing electricity without air pollution, noise or clutter.

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