Could You Power Your Car With its Paint?

Often when we write about problems facing alternative energy options like ethanol or plug-in hybrids, we receive comments such as, “Well, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

Even if we can’t get our lunch for free, can we at least get a bargain on it?

Scientists working at a university in Wales have found a way to gather solar power through paint. The invention is nowhere close to ready for mass production, but the prospects are promising. Steel would be treated with a photovoaltaic substance (the paint), which would gather energy and transfer it to whatever system needed power.

According to ScienceDaily, the UK scientists envision the substance being used first on large buildings and skyscrapers, which could generate 4,500 gigawatts of electricity annually (the equivalent of 50 wind farms) depending on the size of the building. Widespread commercialization would follow, with the paint being used for everything from private homes to — you guessed it — your car.

OK, so it’s probably a few years off, but if one day we’re all driving paint-powered cars, KickingTires is expecting certain readers to pick up the tab at lunch.

Colorful Idea Sparks Renewable Electricity From Painting Solar Cells (ScienceDaily via Autoblog Green)