Valencia, Calif.-based BioSolar, Inc. (OTCBB: BSRC), developer of a breakthrough technology to produce bio-based materials from renewable plant sources that reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells, said that its BioBacksheet^TM-C will be the company's first commercially available product, and will hit the market during the second half of 2009.

BioSolar recently reported that two of its products are in the pre-production stage and nearing qualification for full production.

BioSolar's proprietary BioBacksheet^TM protective coverings are designed to replace expensive and hazardous petroleum-based film with a bio-based one derived from plant-based renewable resources, creating a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solar panel component.

"Designed specifically for cost-sensitive, economical photovoltaic (PV) solar cell modules, the BioBacksheetTM-C is expected to be instrumental in driving down the cost per watt of solar power," said Dr. David Lee, BioSolar's chairman and CEO.

Currently designed for silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic solar panels, the first commercially available BioBacksheet^TM-C is highly water resistant and contains high dielectric strength material combined with cellulosic film.

"BioBacksheet-C is a two-component system," Lee said. "The substrate is a cellulosic material coated with a proprietary material to reduce the water vapor transmission rate and to increase abrasion resistance. BioBacksheet^TM-C is undergoing rigorous testing and adjustments over the past months to ensure its functional durability as well as its cosmetic consistency. Once all the adjustments and improvements are finalized, BioBacksheet^TM-C will go through one additional full cycle of vigorous tests before commercial production begins."

As reported last month in Renewable Energy Focus, ongoing expansion of the patent-pending BioBacksheet^TM technology is also expected to accommodate copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic panels.