Solar3D Unveils First Working Prototype

[zenmaster]

"Company’s 3D light trapping prototype exceeds expectations by producing at least 250% of the power of a basic silicon solar cell"

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar3D, Inc. (OTCBB: SLTD), the developer of a breakthrough 3-dimensional solar cell technology to maximize the conversion of sunlight into electricity, today announced the successful fabrication and operation of a working 3-dimensional silicon solar cell that produces at least 250% of the power of a basic silicon solar cell.

Dr. Changwan Son, Solar3D’s Director of Technology, commented, “When measured relative to a conventional solar cell design, our working prototype produces electricity beyond our previous expectations. First, we fabricated our working prototype. Then we created a simple cell based on the conventional design, using the same fabrication environment, to serve as a control sample. By measuring the side-by-side power output of both cells, we were able to determine the relative performance under a number of conditions, ranging from bright sunlight to lower, diffuse light. In each test, our 3D Solar Cell consistently outperformed the control cell and produced at least 2½ times the amount of electricity under the same conditions.”

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20...-Prototype

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http://www.rechargenews.com/business_are...321913.ece

[Patrick]

But is it affordable ?

[zenmaster]

But is it affordable ?

They expect it to cost at least 50% less than the conventional cell.

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"Now, our near term objective is to continue to improve the fabrication process and the power output, as we optimize the cost of manufacturing. We believe that the result will be a 50% reduction in the cost of solar electricity. Perhaps the installed system cost savings will be even greater.”

[native]

Good news. The shortened payback period would make these entirely worth the investment.