Hey, question for some solar panel expert.

Would it be possible to create a solar panel in the form of foil? I know flexible panels exists but I’ve only seen ones embedded in plastic like this:

Is the plastic somehow necessary for power generation or could the solar panel layer be sprayed directly on some sort of foil?

Or to put it another way: how densely could we pack a solar panel if we didn’t care that much about durability?

Let’s say I just want something that will last a month and maybe 100 unfolding-folding cycles. Would it be possible to fit it a box like this:

  • ExLisperOPA
    2·
    9 days ago

    I’m not looking for existing product. I don’t think anything like this exists. I’m just wondering if it’s possible to make with existing solar panel tech. Something like rescue foil solar panel. Or does it need some plastic casing?

    • poVoq@slrpnk.netM
      3·
      9 days ago

      With silicon based cells this seems unlikely, but with Perovskite based cells it exists already.

      • ExLisperOPA
        1·
        9 days ago

        You’re right, looking for Perovskite I see publications about foil based solar panels. Thanks, I will dig some more.