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These production methods provide flexibility to realize customization of deposited patterns that can give both aesthetics along with energy production. The technology looks highly promising to be integrated into building components such as facades or canopies without burdening the overall component costs. What’s more attractive for commercial players is that Dr Hashmi’s team can produce their solar cells and modules in  regular factories, as opposed to the expensive clean-room facility that current solar panel production requires.                                                                                           

The low-cost solar panels now work well at the laboratory prototype scale. Stronger ties with industry will support the project’s goal of producing panels on the scale needed for real-world use. 'We have received valuable feedback from some of the leading Finnish glass and energy companies, and are proceeding rapidly towards making robust and efficient building integrated photovoltaic products. This new funding will further strengthen our research and development activities in producing reliable building-integrated devices, which could be ready before the end of this new project,' says Dr Hashmi.