31 August 2010 16:11:57 BST

A solar film is currently in development by Norwegian Company EnSol AS and a team of scientists at Leicester University. The unique film is extremely fine, transparent and can be used upon large surface areas to collect and convert solar power.

Leicester University Team Leader Professor Chris Binns says of the solar film "One of the key advantages is that it’s a transparent film that can be coated onto window glass so that windows in buildings can also become power generators" He continues "The structural material of the building can also be coated. This could be the side panels of the building itself or even in the form of "clip together" solar roof tiles"

EnSol AS have patented the solar film and hope to be able to release it for sale on the commercial market by 2016, which means that the whole of the energy market could be about to change as people opt to use potentially cheaper renewable energy sources to power their homes.

Don’t wait til 2016 to embrace solar power, check out our wide range of solar powered products.