A significant breakthrough in renewable energy, Spheral Solar Power cells produce electricity at considerably lower cost than conventional solar technology, and on a cost-par with fossil-fuel based electricity in many regions of the world. Once commercially available, Spheral Solar cells will make solar power feasible for a vast array of new applications and markets, changing the dynamics of the photovoltaic industry, forever.

Spheral Solar technology is a revolutionary solar electricity technology breakthrough that provides an extremely versatile and cost-effective method of generating solar electricity. The result of over 40 worldwide patents, this unique proprietary technology comprises thousands of tiny silicon spheres, bonded between thin flexible aluminum foil substrates to form solar cells, which are then assembled into durable, lightweight modules that can be applied to virtually any surface.



SSP offers the following key advantages over other solar technologies:

-Lower Manufacturing Costs
-Flexible & Adaptable
-Lightweight & Durable
-Abundant Raw Materials
-Environmentally Friendly

Spheral Solar cells are strong. Unlike traditional, rigid solar cells which are highly fragile, a Spheral Solar cell is bendable and virtually unbreakable. Traditional solar cells usually consist of thin silicon wafers, bonded to a glass substrate. Not only are they fragile, but their weight and rigidity seriously limit where they can be applied. SSP's patented design places minute silicon spheres into a special aluminum sheet. The resulting sheet is very strong and can be formed and applied to virtually any curved or flat surface, creating tremendous opportunities for new attractive products for the generation of solar power.

Wow, lets build millions of them right now please.

Very nice, but would be nicer to post the web site too
http://www.spheralsolar.com/

I wonder how competitive this is against organic solar cell. What are the efficiency rating for this per m^2, what is the cost of making these per m^2?

Sorry that I forgot , but thank you for posting it. :o

I don't have that information as I just learned about this yesterday. I'll be looking into it and have sent an E-Mail to them already and am waiting for a reply. :)

Oh yeah, I saw the ilicon spheres in plastic thing in new scientist last year. Its not any better than normal stuff just now, except that its very flexible, which is useful, so consider it as an extension of fitting and location utility of solar panels.

This is a reply I just recieved from the company. Not much tech data at all, bummer. :(

Thank you for taking the time to express interest in our company and products.

Our website at www.spheralsolar.com will be updated regularly in an effort to keep everyone up to date on our Spheral Solar(tm) Technology and products.

The following summary updates our progress and developments over the past few months.

* Our new 190,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ontario is nearing completion.

* Production is scheduled to begin in June 2004.

The SuperFlex product series of flexible battery chargers for Boats, RV's and Camping enthusiasts will launch in August 2004. This product will be sold through marine, RV and camping retailers so watch for the release.

* The residential/ commercial products continue to move through the proto-typing phase and launch is planned for the fall of 2004.

* We continue to work with Elk Corporation to develop unique solar building integrated products.
On behalf of Spheral Solar Power, Inc., I would like to thank you for your interest and look forward to updating you again in the future.

Sincerely,
John Finch
Marketing Team

I saw a report from new sci. that it has only 11% efficiency, that not bad, but what is most important is how cheap is it to produce.

Nobody like that likes giving out tech info. I e-mailed the company that has successfully built and operated a wave powered generator on Islay in Scotland for years now. Theyres called wavegen, i think. Anyhow, i never recieved an answer. I was merely wanting more technical info on how much power it produced, etc, rather than the PR puffery on their website.
http://www.wavegen.com/

I understand it will be $5.00 U.S. per watt produced and most homes need about 3,000 watts to keep them going so that would be about $15,000.00 U.S. for just the cells, then you'll need the inverter and batteries and other things that will run another $10,000.00 U.S. so it becomes not that cost effective if you figure your paying about .05 cents per kilowatt hour for home use from your local power company now. Looks like another promise that won't be able to live up to what it states. :(

Here's a site that has the exact same material available now:

http://www.uni-solar.com/cons_products.html

Looks very interesting ... :)

Yes for solar to be competitive now it needs to cost 1/15 what it cost.

I think using a stirling engine and a bunch of mirrors would be more efficient then solar panels(on earth.) I doubt it'd be cheaper than digging up stuff to burn.