Welsh-made solar panels will work in rain

CARDIFF, Wales, May 18 (UPI) -- A new factory in Cardiff, Wales, plans to change the energy industry with the production of solar panels that function in the rain.

U.S. entrepreneur Bob Hertzberg plans to revolutionize household gadgets -- including mobile phones, mp3 players and laptops -- with solar cells that work in all conditions and are soon to go into mass production at his new Cardiff factory, the Western Mail reported.

Hertzberg, who ran for mayor of Los Angeles in 2005, says his G24i company uses nano-sized titanium crystals that turn sunlight into electricity, with no more need for electrical chargers.

The traditionally wet climate of Wales was selected as an ideal site to demonstrate Hertzberg's technology.

"When I say we are setting up a solar plant in Wales, people look at me with amazement," Hertzberg said. "'Don't you get it?' I tell them. 'It works in the rain.'"

In the United States, it's estimated that 8 percent of electricity consumption is from gadgets including mobile phones and MP3s.

"When you are going to change the world, it has to be personal," Hertzberg said. "What we've done is create brand new lightweight technology that can be carried on backpacks or clothes."

G24i, owned by Renewable Capital, will start production of the cells within two months. The company has already had talks with mobile-phone giants Nokia, Motorola and Sony Ericsson.