better generation

As Japan continues the quest for green energy sources, a British company may have found the answer with this breakthrough technology: Spray on Solar Cells.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. Has developed the technology that enables solar cells to be added to buildings, vehicles and even clothing the same way paint is applied. This means that solar panels could potentially be placed were we have been unable to harvest energy before.  The new solar cells utilize carbon compounds which when dried and solidified act as semi-conductors. This then generates electricity though a chemical reaction when exposed to light. The vast majority of solar cell technology requires crystalline silicon to be sandwiched between glass sheets and positioned of roofs and space consuming "Solar Parks". The company said the new painted solar cells would be particularly effective when applied to round or curved structures.

The scientists are attempting to increase both energy gathering efficiency and to make them easier to install. The cells current conversation is 10.1 percent of light to electricity. This is still a long away behind the 20 percent standard in traditional crystalline solar cells.

Last night it was confirmed that the oil spill in the North Sea is the worst the area has seen in a decade; Figures indicate that as much as 216 tonnes of oil may have entered the water so far, exceeding the annual total for this area for each of the last 10 years.

With the nuclear power station disaster in Japan still fresh in the minds, the Japanese demand for renewable energy is on the increase, however, a country that was once the world's solar cell manufacturing leader, the Japanese now trail the US and China. To improve green energy take up, the Government has started deliberating on legislation to create a system that would make power utility companies buy all the power that is produced by renewable means at a fixed price.