Cheap Solar Energy from the Printing Press

摘要

Seit langem ist die Nutzung von Sonnenenergie eine zentrale technologische Herausforderung für die modernen Gesellschaften. Die Photovoltaik, also die elektronische Umwandlung von Licht in Strom, gilt dabei als besonders attraktiv.rnAllerdings konnte die Siliziumelektronik bisher nicht überzeugen. Trotz langer und aufwendiger Forschung ist der Beitrag der Photovoltaik zur Energieerzeugung bis heute minimal - und vorwiegend durch Subventionen erkauft.%For years, the use of solar energy has been a major technological challenge in modern societies. Photovoltaics, which refers to the electronic conversion of light into electricity, has been considered as particularly attractive. However, silicon elec- tronics could not yet satisfy the expectations, despite extensive and costly research. The contribution of photovoltaics to power generation is small today and mainly bought with grants. The reason is well known. The huge success of electronics can mainly be attributed to miniaturisation. Today, it is possible to produce incredibly small conductors with a width of only 32 nm. Solar energy, however, requires the opposite: Large areas without fine structures.