Still Going Green: A New Energy Resource Produced for Commercial Use

Oct. 26, 2006
Energy is the foundation for economic growth. Potential energy shortages and rising oil prices push businesses to produce more efficient and economical energy resources.

Julie Kalista
Online Editor

One of these new resources is next-generation photovoltaic technology based on dye-sensitized solar cells.

G24 Innovations is the manufacturer of this photovoltaic technology and has located a factory for large-scale production of this technology in Cardiff, Wales. The factory will become operational in early 2007 and will be the first in the world to produce dye-senstized solar cells (DSSC) on a commercial scale. It also aims to be the first facility to produce its renewable energy products relying exclusively on solar, wind, geothermal, and other green sources to meet its own energy needs.

DSSC uses a wider range of the light spectrum than conventional solar cells, giving it the ability to generate power from all visible light sources, not just sunlight. The next-generation photovoltaic material produces electricity through a process that is roughly analogous to photosynthesis in plants. DSSC modules are manufactured by printing a thin layer of titanium dioxide onto a layer of film and then, through the use of nantechnology further manipulation the film's atoms and molecules that generate electricity when exposed to light. The final product does not use silicon nor does it involve heave metals. It is flexible, durable, and 1/50 of the weight of traditional glass silicon-based solar cells.

G24i has entered into a licensing agreement with Konarka Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of DSSC technology, and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), a leading Swiss educational and research institute, to produce these thin-filmed photovoltaics.Originally developed by Professor Michael Graetzel and his team at EPFL in 1988, DSSC technology has been significantly enhanced by the skilled scientific team at Konarka and the continuous research at EPFL.

Make Contact
G24 Innovations

This web-only article appeared in the Electrical e-mail newsletter. If you enjoyed this article and would like to read similar articles sign up today for our free e-mail newsletters!

Sponsored Recommendations

Altech's Liquid Tight Strain Relifs Catalog

March 13, 2024
With experienced Product Engineers and Customer Service personnel, Altech provides solutions to your most pressing application challenges. All with one thought in mind - to ensure...

Industrial Straight-Through Cable Gland

March 13, 2024
Learn more about Altech's cable glands and all they have to offer for your needs!

Smooth Sorting with SEW-EURODRIVE!

Feb. 22, 2024
Sorting systems are essential when it comes to warehouse automation, material handling, and distribution. SEW-EURODRIVE’s automated sorting solutions increase capacity, reliability...

Setting the Agricultural Industry in Motion

Feb. 22, 2024
Agricultural products go through specialized processes of harvesting, storing, conveying, cleaning, drying, sorting, and handling to ensure that seasonal products reach the processing...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!