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Re:Japanese research firms part of global effort to develop ... by lovemenot on Wednesday March 29, 2017 @04:27AM (#13984348)
There might be many new applications for low yield, low cost, lightweight solar panels. How about vehicle external surfaces?

Why should we not hope to get both more efficient panels and for other applications, cheaper and lighter ones?

Re:Japanese research firms part of global effort to develop ... by adrianN on Wednesday March 29, 2017 @05:49AM (#13984637)
What's the point of low-yield panels on vehicles?
Re:Japanese research firms part of global effort to develop ... by ZeroGravitas on Wednesday March 29, 2017 @06:05AM (#13984716)
Depends on how low the yield and how low the price, but one reason for putting small panels on cars today is to run a fan when a car is left in the sun, so that the AC has an easier time cooling the car when the driver returns, saving battery range. Can help to keep the traditional 12v car battery topped up too.