Re: Battery Technology

Charlie, a couple points: First, the standard silicon-crystal solar cells do need to be pointed at the sun to work best, and they are expensive. The next generation of photovoltaics includes technologies that can actually be "painted" onto a surface. One approach uses "dye-sensitized cells" whose main ingredient is the same stuff we use in toothpaste (so it's really cheap). One of the largest metal building manufacturers already has pilot production for coating panels with this stuff, and the cool thing is that while it is less efficient than silicon cells when aimed right at the sun, they continue to generate power even under low-light conditions. So even a north-facing wall can be used to generate useful power on a cloudy day. Imagine if your deck and cabin were painted with this stuff! The other point is about energy storage. I think that using chemistry to store large amounts of energy in a small, lightweight device is the actual definition of "a bomb". I'm just sayin'. Alfred Poor 1973 Tartan 34C #288 "Jambalaya"

Great point, Alfred. I am going to research amatol-based storage methods for my boat. I'll get back to you (if I'm still around). Cheers Charlie From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Alfred Poor Sent: Thursday, March 08, 2012 9:01 AM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] Re: Battery Technology Charlie, a couple points: First, the standard silicon-crystal solar cells do need to be pointed at the sun to work best, and they are expensive. The next generation of photovoltaics includes technologies that can actually be "painted" onto a surface. One approach uses "dye-sensitized cells" whose main ingredient is the same stuff we use in toothpaste (so it's really cheap). One of the largest metal building manufacturers already has pilot production for coating panels with this stuff, and the cool thing is that while it is less efficient than silicon cells when aimed right at the sun, they continue to generate power even under low-light conditions. So even a north-facing wall can be used to generate useful power on a cloudy day. Imagine if your deck and cabin were painted with this stuff! The other point is about energy storage. I think that using chemistry to store large amounts of energy in a small, lightweight device is the actual definition of "a bomb". I'm just sayin'... Alfred Poor 1973 Tartan 34C #288 "Jambalaya"