A sheet of glass : spherical solar cells

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Clean energy coming in smaller packages

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

2010/03/06

A sheet of glass embedded with spherical solar cells developed by Kyosemi Corp. attracts attention at a Tokyo trade show. (NOBORU TOMURA/ THE ASAHI SHIMBUN)

One of the brightest stars at a trade show for solar power and fuel-cell technology at the Tokyo Big Sight convention center turned out to be one of the smallest there.

Shown off in the three-day event were spherical solar cells with a diameter of 1.8 millimeters developed by Kyoto-based semiconductor maker Kyosemi Corp.

The Sphelar solar modules can be embedded in large number into window glass or sheets of flexible plastic.

Among other popular items were solar-charged panels that display in eight colors, including gold, purple and green. They were developed by Taiwanese maker Jintec Corp.

About 1,300 companies exhibited their products in the show, which ended Friday.