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The 45 students—all from the school’s Product Design Course— had spent time at G24i’s Cardiff site to learn about the technology. The site will be the first factory to mass produce dye-sensitised solar cells, a technology that combines innovative material science and nanotechnology to generate renewable power in a process similar to photosynthesis. Students were then invited to showcase their final designs in front of a panel of expert judges:
- Peter Houghton, partner, Environmental Technologies Fund
- Professor Martin Darbyshire, founder, Tangerine Design Studio
- Paul Sayers, Product Design Lecturer, Central Saint Martins College
- Clemens Betzel, President, G24i
- John Geensen, CFO, G24i
Ultimately two student concepts shared first prize: Lisa Fong’s solar-powered hoarding light designed for use on construction sites and Yasmin Sethi’s DSSC cone lamp aimed at providing low cost eco-friendly lighting in the developing world.
The commercial viability of the hoarding light concept caught the eye of the judges; a solution which reduces the time and cost associated with fulfilling mandatory lighting obligations on construction sites. Using G24i’s dye-sensitised solar cells the design is cost effective and removes the need for wires and cabling. Ms Fong combined a row of super-bright LED lights and a small battery pack into a slim design that could be fitted directly to scaffolding or against hoardings.
The cone lamp concept was rewarded for making particularly effective use of the technology’s lightweight and flexible properties. With the developing nations market in mind, the simple style of the lighting is designed for low cost manufacture, significantly cutting the cost of the final product. During the day, the lamp could be opened out flat to charge in the light, while in the evening it is rolled into a cone shape to be hung for use where needed.
“Who better to design a product that has such potential to positively impact the world, than the young people who will be most affected by that technology,” said Clemens Betzel, president of G24i. “We are delighted with the quality of these concepts and many warrant careful consideration as we gear up to full production.”
G24i’s facility will have an initial 30MW capacity with plans for expansion. The technology works in ambient and low-light conditions, bringing the full potential of solar energy to new industries and areas of the world. G24i is developing products to power mobile telephones, portable electronics, clothing, tents, and building integrated applications. It also sees a significant role for its technology in addressing energy access in the developing world.
Notes to Editors:
About G24i
G24 Innovations (G24i), a UK based company, is the world’s first to commercially manufacture next generation Dye-Sensitized Thin Film solar cells, an alternative to traditional silicon solar cells.
Dye-Sensitized Thin Film solar cells are unique in that they are extremely lightweight, durable, and produce electricity in low-light and indoor conditions. As a result, G24i’s advanced solar cells are perfect for powering mobile electronic devices such as mobile telephones, cameras, and portable LED lighting systems.
On a larger scale, G24i’s flexible thin film integrates effectively into clothing, tents, electronic advertising displays, and works well for indoor building integrated photovoltaic systems where local regulation requires on site generation or significant energy efficiency measures.
G24i’s proprietary high speed roll-to-roll manufacturing process allows for large volume production at our 23 acre, 187,000 square foot facility. Further information at: www.g24i.com.
For more information, please contact:
G24 Innovations:
Eliot Abel
+44 (0) 2920 837 340
eliot.abel@g24i.com
FD (PR):
Andy Field or Oliver Williams
+44 (0) 20 7831 3113
andy.field@fd.com
olly.williams@fd.com
