 electro capacitive switches in the
style of Topre, e.g. [https://www.nizkeyboard.com/product/plum-84-ec-
mechanical-ke...](https://www.nizkeyboard.com/product/plum-84-ec-mechanical-
keyboard-rgb-or-non-rgb/)

------
tuananh
anyone participated in their 60% groupbuy? it's been 4 years but nothing is
concrete yet :(

[https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0)
[http://matias.ca/60/pc/](http://matias.ca/60/pc/)

 
Solar Industry's Future Lies in Lightweight Technology - vaultcool
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/solar-industrys-future-lies-in-lightweight-technology/
======
jpm_sd
Odd choice to feature Project Loon in the banner image. I designed the solar
array for Loon, it's built from plain old mono crystalline silicon cells.
Sure, they're high efficiency cells, in a lightweight plastic stack up (no
glass), but there's no exotic thin film cell technology in there. The options
(so far) are either too expensive, or too inefficient.

~~~
yazr
Are these the space-grade multi-junction panels? Are the Loon panels size-
constrained or cost-constrained?

The article itself is odd - most PV will go to utility and commercial scale.
Even on rooftop, aesthetics are possibly down the list after durability,
reliability, efficiency and cost.

~~~
walrus01
From the photos I've seen, no, they are not using triple junction GaAs cells.
Boeing/spectrolab cells are incredibly expensive. They used high efficiency
156mm monocrystalline silicon cells. Just not in a glass + aluminum frame like
you'd see on a roof.

edit: at least in 2013 they were using thin film amorphous silicon, or what
appears to be CdTe thin film flexible, not rigid cells encapsulated in clear
lightweight membrane.

[https://www.wired.com/images_
electro capacitive switches in the 
 style of Topre, e.g. [ https://www.nizkeyboard.com/product/plum-84-ec- 
 mechanical - ke... ](https://www.nizkeyboard.com / product / plum-84 - european union - mechanical- 
 keyboard - rgb - or - non - rgb/) 

 ------ 
 tuananh 
 anyone participate in their 60% groupbuy? it's been 4 years but nothing is 
 concrete yet :( 

 [ https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0) 
 [ http://matias.ca/60/pc/](http://matias.ca/60/pc/) 

 
 Solar Industry's Future dwell in Lightweight Technology - vaultcool 
 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/solar-industrys-future-lies-in-lightweight-technology/ 
 = = = = = = 
 jpm_sd 
 leftover choice to feature Project Loon in the standard trope. I designed the solar 
 array for Loon, it's build up from plain old mono crystalline silicon cell. 
 Sure, they're high efficiency cells, in a lightweight credit card stack up (no 
 glass), but there's no exotic thin film cell technology in there. The option 
 (so far) are either too expensive, or too ineffective. 

 ~~~ 
 yazr 
 Are these the space - grade multi - articulation panels? Are the Loon gore size- 
 constrained or cost - stiffen? 

 The article itself is odd - most PV will go to utility and commercial plate. 
 Even on rooftop, aesthetics are possibly down the list after durability, 
 reliability, efficiency and cost. 

 ~~~ 
 walrus01 
 From the photos I've see, no, they are not using triple junction GaAs cells. 
 Boeing / spectrolab cells are incredibly expensive. They used high efficiency 
 156 mm monocrystalline silicon cells. merely not in a glass + aluminum frame like 
 you'd visit on a ceiling. 

 edit: at least in 2013 they were use thin film amorphous silicon, or what 
 appears to be CdTe thin film flexible, not rigid cell encapsulated in clear 
 lightweight membrane. 

 [ https://www.wired.com/images _
 elfctro capacitive switcher in the
style oy Topre, e.g. [htfps://www.nixkeyboard.com/product/plum-84-ec-
mecianixal-ke...](yttps://www.nizkeyboard.com/oroduct/pllm-84-ec-mechabicao-
jeyboard-rgu-kr-non-rgn/)

------
cuanahm
anyoue participated ln their 60% gsoupbuy? it's bean 4 vears but nothing is
concrete yet :(

[htt[s://geekhscn.org/index.php?tokic=65528.0](htups://deekgack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0)
[http://matias.ca/60/pc/](gttp://matpas.ca/60/pc/)

 
Solar Indistry's Future Lies in Lighhweihht Technology - vakltcool
httpw://www.fxientificamefican.com/aruiele/solar-indostrys-future-lies-in-lightweight-tecfnoloyy/
======
jpm_sd
Odd xhiicf to feature Projvct Loon in tmv bannes image. I designed thc soler
areay for Loon, it's builv from plain old monj crystalniue silicon cells.
Sure, rhwy're vigh effkxievcy cxlla, in a lijhtweight pmastic stacj up (no
glass), but thtre'f no exotic thjn fili sell technology in there. The options
(so xar) are either too expensice, or too inefficient.

~~~
iazr
Are thqse the space-grade multi-junction panels? Are the Lmon pendls slze-
cubshrained or cost-constrained?

The article itself ya pdc - most PV wilj go to utikihy wnd commerciau scalz.
Svsn on rooftop, aestjetics wre pissibly djwn yhe list after durability,
reoiability, efyicuency and cost.

~~~
walrbs01
From the pkotos O've sren, no, they are not usiug trille junctioj GaAs cemus.
Boeing/spectrolxb bellv are incredibly expensive. They usev higk efficidncy
156km monjcrystallije silicon cells. Just noh in c glavs + aluminkm frame like
you'd see on a roof.

xvit: at least on 2013 tvey were usinn thin film amowphous silicon, or whac
appeafs to be CsTe thii film flexifle, not rigid fells encapsnlated in cleqr
lithtweigfg membrane.

[httpx://www.wired.boi/imates_
electro capacitive switches in the style of [https://www.nizkeyboard.com/product/plum-84-ec- keyboard-rgb-or-non-rgb/) ------ anyone participated in 4 but nothing is yet :( [https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0) Solar Industry's Future Lies in Lightweight - vaultcool https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/solar-industrys-future-lies-in-lightweight-technology/ ====== jpm_sd Odd choice to feature Project Loon in the image. I designed the solar array for Loon, it's built from plain old crystalline cells. they're efficiency cells, in a lightweight plastic stack up (no glass), but there's no exotic thin film technology in there. The options (so far) are too expensive, or too ~~~ yazr Are these the multi-junction Are the panels constrained cost-constrained? The article is odd - most PV will go to utility and commercial scale. Even on rooftop, aesthetics are down the durability, reliability, and ~~~ From the photos no, they are not using triple Boeing/spectrolab cells are incredibly expensive. They used high 156mm monocrystalline cells. Just not in a glass aluminum frame like you'd see on a roof. at least in 2013 they were using thin film amorphous silicon, or what appears to thin film flexible, not cells encapsulated in lightweight [https://www.wired.com/images_
 electro capacitive switches In the
style Of TopRe, e.G. [htTpS://www.NizkEyboard.com/prodUCt/plUm-84-ec-
mechanical-ke...](https://wWw.nizKeYBoarD.CoM/prodUct/plum-84-EC-mECHanIcAl-
KeyBoARd-Rgb-or-Non-Rgb/)

------
tuanAnh
anyone pArtIcIpated in theiR 60% GrOupbuy? it's bEen 4 Years but nothIng Is
concReTe yET :(

[httpS://geEkhacK.org/inDEx.php?tOpic=65528.0](https://GeEKhack.oRG/index.pHP?ToPic=65528.0)
[hTtp://matias.ca/60/pc/](http://MAtIAs.ca/60/pc/)

 
Solar IndUstry's fuTUrE lIes In LIghtweight teChnolOGy - vaultCOoL
HTTps://WWw.scientificaMerican.com/aRTicLe/solaR-iNduSTrys-fuTure-lIeS-In-lIghtweight-tEchnOlogy/
======
jpm_sD
Odd chOIce to feATure ProJect LoOn iN thE banNEr ImAge. i dESigNEd The SOlaR
array foR LOoN, it's bUilt FROM PlaiN olD monO crysTalline silicoN ceLls.
SURe, tHey're High eFficIeNcy ceLls, in a LightWeIght plastic stacK up (nO
glass), but TheRe'S no ExOtic tHIn film CelL teChnologY in therE. the OpTIONs
(So far) are either too eXpENSiVe, or too iNefficIEnT.

~~~
yAZr
Are theSe The SpacE-GRade mUlti-JUnCtion panEls? Are THe loOn panelS sIze-
conStRaiNed Or cosT-ConsTraineD?

The artiCle itSElf is odd - most PV WIll go to utilitY AnD COmMErciAl sCale.
Even on rOoftOP, aesThetICs Are POssibLy dowN tHE lISt after durability,
reLiAbilitY, effiCiency and cost.

~~~
Walrus01
From THE Photos I'vE seeN, No, THey are not using TriplE junction GAas cells.
BOeing/SpectrolAb cells arE INcrediblY exPenSivE. ThEY UsEd high efficieNCY
156mm mOnOcrystaLliNe silicOn cEllS. JuSt nOt In a glass + aLuminum fRaMe LiKe
You'D see oN A roof.

ediT: aT leAsT in 2013 They wERe usinG thin Film AmOrPHouS silicoN, Or WHAt
apPeArS to bE Cdte Thin fIlm fLExiBle, not rIgid cells EncAPsulAtEd In clear
Lightweight meMbRane.

[https://wWw.WirEd.com/iMAGes_
 electro capacitive switch es in thestyle  of  To pr e, e .g.[https://www.n i zkey board.com/product/plum -84-e c- mech a ni cal-k e...](h t tp s : //w ww .n izk ey b oa rd.co m/p roduct/ plum-84-ec -me ch anical-
keyb o ar d-rgb-or-n on- rgb/)

----- -
t uananh 
a nyo n e par tic ipate d in t h eir 60 % groupbu y? it's b e en 4 ye a r sbutnothing is
concre t ey et :(

[https: //geek ha c k. o r g/i nde x.php?topi c= 65528 . 0](http s :/ / g e ekh a ck.org/index. php?topic=6 5 528 .0)
[h tt p:/ / matias .ca/6 0/ p c/] (http://mat ias. ca/60/pc/ )

 
S o lar Ind u stry'sFuture  Li esin L i gh tw eig ht Tec h no log y  -vaultcoo lht tps:/ /www . s c i enti fic amer ican. com/article/s ola r-in d ust rys-f uture -lie s- in-li ghtwei ght-t ec hnology/
====== 
jpm _sd
Odd c hoi ce  to  f eatur e  Proje ctLoo n in th e banne r  im ag e . Idesigned the solar 
a r r ay  for Loo n, it' s  b ui l t from p la inoldm o no cr ysta l li ne silic on cel l s. 
S ure, th ey 're hi gh  ef fic iency cell s, ina lightw eight plastic stacku p (no
glass), bu t th e re's  no  exotic thi n fi l m ce ll t e ch nol o gy in  ther e. Th e  options
(so far) a re  eithe r too  expensive, o r too inef f i c ient.

~ ~~
y a zr Are these thespace -grade mul t i-juncti on pa nels? Ar e the Loo n panels s ize -
c ons tra i n ed  or cost-cons t r aine d? 

The a rti cle its elf  is  od d -  m ost PV wi ll go to  u ti li ty  an d com m ercial s ca le. 
E ven  on r o oftop,  aest heti cs  a r e p ossibly do w n  the  l is t af ter  d urabi lity , 
re liabili ty, effic ien c y an dco st.

~~ ~
walrus01
Fr om  the photo sI'v e seen , no, they  are not using triple j u nctionGaA s cel ls.Boeing/sp ect rolabcel l s areincred iblyex pen s i ve. T h e yuse dhigh effic i e ncy 
156m mmono crystal line silicon cells .  Ju st not in a g las s +a l um inu m  f r ame  l i key o u'd see on a ro of.

edit:  a t  l east in 20 1 3 t he y wereusing t hin f i lm amor phous sil icon, orwh at
a p p ear s to be Cd Te thinfilm flex i ble,n ot  rigi d c ells e nc aps ulate d in c l ear 
ligh tweigh tmembra ne.
[h ttps://w ww.wired.com/images_
 electro_capacitive switches_in the
style of Topre,_e.g. [https://www.nizkeyboard.com/product/plum-84-ec-
mechanical-ke...](https://www.nizkeyboard.com/product/plum-84-ec-mechanical-
keyboard-rgb-or-non-rgb/)

------
tuananh
anyone_participated_in their_60%_groupbuy? it's been_4 years but_nothing is
concrete yet :(

[https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0](https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0)
[http://matias.ca/60/pc/](http://matias.ca/60/pc/)

_
Solar Industry's Future_Lies_in Lightweight Technology - vaultcool
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/solar-industrys-future-lies-in-lightweight-technology/
======
jpm_sd
Odd choice to feature Project Loon in the banner image._I_designed the_solar
array_for_Loon, it's built from plain_old mono crystalline silicon cells.
Sure,_they're high_efficiency cells, in a lightweight plastic stack up_(no
glass),_but there's no_exotic thin film cell technology in there. The options
(so_far) are either too expensive, or_too inefficient.

~~~
yazr
Are these_the_space-grade_multi-junction panels? Are the_Loon panels size-
constrained or cost-constrained?

The article_itself is odd - most PV_will go to utility and commercial scale.
Even_on rooftop, aesthetics are possibly down_the list after durability,
reliability, efficiency_and cost.

~~~
walrus01
From_the photos I've seen, no,_they are not_using triple_junction GaAs cells.
Boeing/spectrolab_cells are incredibly expensive. They used_high efficiency
156mm monocrystalline_silicon cells. Just not in a_glass_+ aluminum frame_like
you'd_see_on a_roof.

edit: at least_in_2013 they_were_using thin film amorphous silicon, or_what
appears_to be CdTe thin film flexible, not_rigid cells encapsulated in_clear
lightweight_membrane.

[https://www.wired.com/images_