BioSolar, Inc. (OTC BB: BSRC), developer of a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells, "is challenging (DuPontTM) Tedlar® with a new lower-cost solar panel backsheet made entirely of biomaterials," according to the February 2009 edition of Plastics Technology.

According to The Residential Solar Power Contractors blog, CaliFinder, BioSolar's "BioBacksheetTM is not only manufactured with renewable natural resources making it a green product, it's also cheaper to produce than traditional solar panels and is extremely effective and durable...This new innovation will also help to reduce the cost per watt of solar cells, making solar power a more cost effective initiative."

BioSolar recently announced plans to expand the company's BioBacksheet^TM technology to accommodate copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film modules, as reported on Nanowerk News.

In addition, emerging energy news provider Energy Current recently reported that the company has "concluded successful testing on BioBacksheetTM samples from its first pre-production runs."

Designed to replace petroleum-based components with renewable plant sources, BioBacksheet^TM is a premium-grade backsheet consisting of a cellulosic film combined with a highly water resistant and high dielectric strength nylon film made from castor beans. The patent-pending BioBacksheet^TM technology for crystalline silicon (C-Si) photovoltaic solar cells is in the pre-production phase.

"By removing petroleum from photovoltaic solar modules, BioSolar makes solar energy a true green source of energy," said Dr. David Lee, BioSolar chairman and CEO. "Whether solar cells are produced using crystalline silicon, thin film or other solar technologies, BioSolar can help reduce the cost per watt through the use of its lower cost bio-based materials."