South Korea creates plastic solar cell

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GWANGJU, South Korea, May 5 (UPI) -- Scientists at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea have developed a new efficient plastic solar-power cell.

The university's development has been confirmed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Asia Pulse Data Source reports.

The plastic cells create power in a way that imitates plant life and have a 6.2 percent efficiency rate, said Lee Kwang-hee, research team leader.

The new cells will allow faster commercial use of solar energy.

"This is the highest number reached by any single-layer plastic, organic photovoltaic solar cell created in the world to date and should greatly help commercial use of power generation using sunlight," Lee said.

In addition to being efficient, the cells bend easily and could be attached to almost anything, even clothes, bags or appliances.