3M Solar film now functions as a low capacity SOLAR PANEL

IMAGE: http://solutions.3m.com

3M, the company that makes those multitasking POST-IT notes also makes other stuff you've used around the house, office, car...the spray fabric protectors, for example; or the spray adhesive, scotch tape, etc...

Well now they've added a huge plus to their window sun blocking film. They turned them into a low capacity solar panel. How about that! For us who live in a very sunny part of the world where tinting is highly recommended not only for the aesthetic purpose of avoiding the discoloration (fading) of your furniture but also for saving energy  during those months when the AC is turned on 24/7. The added technology to these tints will help us generate electricity...


A square meter of the film can generate roughly enough electricity to charge an iPhone under peak sunlight, but still allows for high visibility.

The product currently generates only about 20 percent of the electricity that a traditional silicon solar panel does, and will cost about half as much, though the final price has not been decided. 

"An average person could go to the store, buy some of this, and then bring it home and install it themselves," said Yasuhiro Aoyagi, a senior manager in the company's construction markets division.

He said it is made from an organic photovoltaic material that is printed on in sheets, and will come down in price as production increases. The film blocks or absorbs about 80 percent of visible light and over 90 percent of infrared light, so it also acts as a sunshade.

NICE!