New research combines a solar-cell, OLED panel and batteries in one module

The Florida Energy Systems Consortium (a state-funded effort to bring together researchers from 11 universities to work on renewable energy technology development) is developing a new Solar Cell + OLED + Battery Module. They are using organic solar cells on top of an OLED Lighting panel. The solar-cell is charging lithium-ion batteries which are used to power the OLEDs at night.

The idea is that all 3 components use direct current, and so an inverter is not needed, which makes the whole package cheaper.

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Posted: Nov 17,2009 by Ron Mertens