Decorative Metallization Patterns For Aesthetic Solar Cells

40% of solar installers and almost a third of potential solar customers consider poor aesthetics to be a major roadblock on the path to solar adoption, and many do not consider any currently available solar options to be attractive.1 The result is that many customers who want solar due to its environmental, economic, and societal benefits, stop considering it because they think it will harm the visual appeal of their property. Asoleyo is re-designing solar panels’ functional electrical contacts-- the familiar grid of metallic lines visible on the surface of a solar panel-- using the artistic principles of symmetry, rhythm, and line. This new approach transforms a monotonous surface into one with visual interest and attractive detail, using the same materials and processes as a standard solar panel. Decorative solar panels with beautiful, large-scale patterns can be brought down off the roof, and integrated in high- visibility areas such as gardens, parks, plazas, campuses, and as a part of buildings’ glazing and facades. They will generate clean, local energy, while also contributing to the appeal of high-visibility outdoor spaces. In this Phase I SBIR, we will develop and refine our process to reliably create custom patterns in diverse visual styles for decorative solar cells and modules, and quantify the aesthetic improvements compared to conventional solar. If advanced into Phase II and beyond, we’ll use this process to develop beautiful, affordable, and efficient solar panels that can be proudly displayed as a decorative element in landscaping and architecture, helping customers showcase their environmental values while also improving their curb appeal.