The prestigious Lemelson-MIT award was given to Miles C. Barr, a scientist and “pay it forward” advocate, for his work developing an inexpensive process that can print photovoltaic solar cells on common items, like paper, fabric and ordinary construction materials.
This sunpower technology eliminates the need for costly installation of traditional photovoltaic solar panels, and also increases possible photovoltaic applications for energy production. The sky is the limit for integrating renewable photovoltaic technology with everyday surfaces — clothes lines, building walls, hanging drapes, window blinds and siding could all be utilized to generate clean power.
This invention not only helps energy consumers in the United States, but also has huge implications for developing countries. Barr elaborated upon the potential possibilities:
“There is a huge opportunity to harvest energy from the light that hits every surface around us. If we can take that energy and convert it into electricity without compromising the aesthetics of everyday surfaces, that is extremely powerful.”
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