Stan Ovshinsky points to a continuous roll-to-roll triple junction solarcell machine that is capable of producing nine miles and six tons of thin film photovoltaics in a single run. This flexible photovoltaic product can be used on the rooftops of homes and commercial buildings. Uniquely, the material works when it is cloudy, giving it overall higher efficiency than traditional solar panels. Looking on from left: Roberto Dobles (partially obscured), Minister of Environment, Energy, & Telecommunications, Republic of Costa Rica; David Bonior, Democratic Whip , U.S. Congress (1991-2002); Christopher Edley (light blue shirt), William H. Orrick Jr. Distinguished Professor and Dean, Berkeley Law School , UC Berkeley; Enrique Lendo, Head of Int’l Affairs Coord. Unit, Secretariat of Environment & Natural Resources, Mexico; Harley Shaiken (brown jacket), Chair of the Center for Latin American Studies; Bob King, Vice President of the United Auto Workers.

This photo of the continuous roll-to-roll triple junction solarcell machine shows the scope of the technology.

Completed photovoltaic modules form long flexible strips ready for easy installation. This design reduces shipping and installation costs as thin-film is much less expensive to handle than heavy, rigid glass panels which require strong assemblies for holding the panels without breakage. Thin-film solar cells can simply be rolled out and attached to the roof.