Created the world's first non-toxic, flexible solar panels

The idea of ​​creating a "zero energy" buildings that consume only as much energy as themselves generate, became more affordable after the University of New South Wales has achieved a breakthrough in the creation of flexible solar cells. These batteries are non-toxic, differ quite significantly effective, and relatively inexpensive.

Earlier obstacle to the creation of so-called zero-cost houses was a thin-film solar cells, as well as the fact they are created not only from scarce, but highly toxic materials.



However, things have changed due CZTS technology. Effectiveness of new batteries 7 is at 6% per square centimeter. CZTS cell made of copper, zinc, tin and sulfur. According to the developers, at the moment everything is done to CZTS technology, achieved efficiency of 20%.

Scientists claim that the new solar cells are more environmentally friendly, and can be applied on the substance, thin layers. Due to the fact that the layers can be 50 times thinner than a human hair, the need for making silicon cells are simply lost. Also, these elements react better than silicon, on the blue wavelength. The overall performance can be improved by applying a thin film on top of the silicon cells.



The development team is also confident that the technology will produce CZTS rigid or flexible panels that are cheap and can be widely used to generate electricity from sunlight that falls on the glazing, facades, roof tiles and windows.
One of the initiators of the introduction of new technologies Ksyaodzhin Hao said CZTS cheapness and lack of negative impact on the environment will contribute to the fact that the builders and architects will increasingly turn to the use of thin-film solar panels. After all, the main advantage of the new technology is the simplicity of its integration into building construction.