>>>>SiO2 sprayed on the correct material may make a quick and easy solar panel. I'm going to give it a try.
>>>
>>>Not so sure... you need it to be also insulating so it can reflect the heat radiated by the covered body. Sprayed on in such a thin layer I expect its insulation factor to be negligible.
>>
>>You're right, but I was thinking about electicity generating solar panels. Si has an extra electron that it can pass to a complimenting metalic oxide thus creating DC current. A big problem with them is their cost. There is a slight chance that this might work, but it would have to crystalize as I dried. If it does then the price should plummet. ('Should' being the operative word:)
>
>If that works... you could spray metal (electrophoresis?) on anything, then spray silicon over it... and your newspaper becomes a generator. And some wishful thinking may even work, who knows.

We certainly need a product that will do that, but greed will drive the price up anyway. Hopefully competition will control it.