Solar panels are an easy way to harvest some of the abundant energy the Sun has to offer, but there are a few obstacles keeping us from covering every building and surface we can with them. It'd be expensive, of course, and the rigid nature of a panel wouldn't conform to too many shapes.

The Nanosolar PowerSheet addresses these concerns by being easy to produce, using silicon-free cells that are reportedly as efficient as commercial panels and they're cheap to boot. PowerSheets are produced in large rolls, just like a newspaper. If enough of them are made, they could cover anything that needs power — from the outside of big rigs to roofs and other structures.

The power generated might not be enough to replace conventional power, but the renewable energy garnered certainly would be a welcome addition to lessen the strain. Nanosolar reports it can print its PowerSheet at about 30 cents a watt. — Kevin Hall

PopSci, via BoingBoing Gadgets