Have you ever heard of solar films? They are an extremely flexible and lightweight solution for transforming any surface into a source of energy. Imagine having a sticker that can be easily installed on schools, wind farms and other areas with large surfaces. With this solution, up to 85 W of energy per square meter can be generated, while the carbon footprint remains less than 10 g CO2e/kW. The developments of the last 5 years show solar films, increasingly closer to the possibility of sustainable and effective use. Materials are increasingly flexible and able to adapt to any surface. Some European companies are investing in the research and development of these cutting-edge technologies, with the aim of creating new solutions for sustainable energy production.
France and Germany on the shields
HeliaSol is a German brand active in the solar film sector: moreover, it has been the pioneer of this technology since "way back" in 2017. And it has recently HeliaFilm, a roll of adhesive film that can be applied to glass, concrete and metal. How about turning your home or office into a sustainable energy source? With solar films, the limits of the rigid structures of traditional solar panels can be overcome.
In France the Solar cloth, an innovative startup, has recently introduced its amazing range of solar films M170. With a thickness of only 0,5 mm, this extraordinary creation is capable of generating an impressive 170 watts of energy per square meter and can be easily installed on any type of surface, both smooth and curved. But what makes this solar film truly unique is the production method: using recycled materials, Solar Cloth offers a sustainable and renewable solution for energy generation. According to experts, these solar films have a yield of 17,2%. Far from that of the recent records, but it's compensated by the fact that it can be used almost anywhere.
What is the technology behind solar films?
The HeliaFilm and the M170 are two innovative technologies that have some peculiar differences. While the HeliaFilm uses organic photovoltaics (OVP) to convert light into electricity through semiconductor materials, the M170 relies primarily on CIGS (copper, indium, gallium and selenium) technology. Both are effective solutions for producing solar energy, but the M170 stands out for using recycled materials, making it a little more sustainable.
There is no doubt that solar films have a formidable advantage in flexibility. To the point that, even reaching a slightly lower yield than that of current panels, the use of films will be infinitely preferable. The most likely scenario is that until then flexible and traditional technologies will live a peaceful (and profitable) coexistence.
