Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have developed a new method to integrate flexible solar modules in a transparent film which was previously used to protect  flat screen TVs from moisture.

With the building-integrated photovoltaic, flexible solar panels could replace the rigid mounted on metal armatures, bringing the cost of electricity per watt at only 1 dollar.

“There are much space under-exploited on the roofs which could indeed be employed to produce electricity,” said Mark Gross, a researcher at PNNL. “The flexible solar panels can easily be integrated into the architecture of commercial buildings and homes. The solar panels have had limited success because they were difficult and costly to install.”

The technology applied to solar panels made from CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) or CdTe (cadmium telluride) lengthen the life of the facility to 25 years.