Nanowires that have the ability to trap more sunlight and convert it to electricity more effi-ciently than traditional solar cell materials are being commercialized at McMaster University, Cleanfield Energy and the Ontario Centres of Excellence, Canada.Nanowires are one-dimensional structures with controlled lengths of one to five microns and diameters of 10 to 100 nm. They offer many advantages over thin film and crystal silicon, in-cluding low material utilization, lower-cost substrates, high conversion efficiency, and strong light trapping and absorption."We have been looking to add solar cells to our line of alternative energy products," said Tony Verrelli, president of Cleanfield Energy, manufacturers of the V3.5 vertical axis wind turbine. "Dr. LaPierre's nanowire research has the potential to make solar cells accessible to a wider range of people looking for a more sustainable energy source to meet their power needs."
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