The advantages of making an environmentally friendly process even more environmentally friendly, and inexpensive, appear to be well on their way to the photovoltaic consumer. By taking some petroleum out of the sun-to-electricity photovoltaic process, in favor of renewable plant based components, costs per/watt can be reduced and new markets as well as applications can be opened up.
BioSolar, Inc. appears to have made the leap from petroleum based backing sheets, for photovoltaic modules, to a truly “green” backing sheet technology derived from renewable plant based materials. Photovoltaics, the process of turning sunlight into electricity, has been offered to environmentally conscious customers for years. Bringing down the cost per/watt, however, has been an issue. BioSolar, Inc. may have cracked the nut in beginning this process.
The photovoltaic backing sheet needs to be durable and wide enough to meet North American manufacturing standards. A recent commercial scale-up test by the company showed successful results in meeting manufacturers requirements for maximum widths and durability. Receiving certification from underwriters Laboratory is the next step in commercialization and is currently in-process and on the fast track with a North Carolina photovoltaic module manufacturing company.
Past the obvious advantages of a lower cost per/watt for the end product, the real potential for the company comes in the bio-plastics themselves. These products, if they can obtain UL certification, will be able to follow the market trend of replacing mass market petroleum based components with niche oriented bio-plastic components. As petroleum prices continue their rise, BioSolar, Inc. is anticipated to continue shining.
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