Manufacturing targets
Although they probably going to be less
efficient, low-cost BPV devices are likely to
become competitive alternatives to silicon-based
photovoltaic cells within in the next 5-10 years.
The long term target is to produce economical
devices with low manufacturing costs and
excellent energy conversion efficiency. With this
in mind, the scientific team agreed to take part
in a collaborative project with designers from the
university’s Institute for Manufacturing to look
into the future to suggest a range of applications
of BPV technology.
The designers had a brainstorming session with
the scientific team, during which the scientists
answered the designers’ technical questions, and
the group generated a range of ideas for possible
products. These included a biophotovoltaic
solar panel, a near-shore generator that harvests
desalinated water, and a garden table that
generates and stores enough energy during the day
to power a light in the evening.