LG has recently announced a prototype solar-powered eBook reader with a 6 inch ebook display panel and a 10cm square solar panel. Impressively, the solar cell measures just 0.7mm in thickness and weighs only 20 grams. This solar cell is created by using a glass or plastic substrate rather than using the more conventional (and troublesome) crystalline solar cells that require silicon wafers.
The current energy conversion efficiency of the solar cell is just 9.6%, but there are plans to increase that efficiency to 14% by the time the product is manufactured commercially in 2012. Exposing the solar cell to sunlight for about 4 to 5 hours can extend the running time of the ebook’s battery by up to a day, without the need for additional charging. This means the ebook can be used for longer, particularly when being used outdoors.
The prototype ebook will be on display at the International Meeting on Information Display (IMID) 2009 at KINTEX, Gyenggi, Korea.
Source: ecofriend