Solar Panels From the University of Newcastle

Australian researchers have built a 200-square-meter array of working solar panels on the roof of an industrial plant. They claim the technology will revolutionise renewable energy.

The new panels are thin, lightweight and flexible, and can be printed on paper. The team hopes they will be used for disaster relief and to power structures that cannot take the weight of traditional solar panels.

Cost

Four years ago, a team led by Professor Paul Dastoor from the University of Newcastle invented a new kind of solar panel. It uses specialized electronic inks that conduct electricity to print light-weight, ultra-flexible, and inexpensive solar panels. This technology is a major step toward making solar energy affordable for the masses.

Dastoor’s experimental panels aren’t silicon-based like traditional solar panels, but organic, meaning they use carbon-based molecules to carry electrons instead of silicon. He recently installed a 200-square-metre bank of his panels on a factory roof in Newcastle, and it cost only a fraction of the price of other solar systems.

Now, he’s taking his technology on the road to show how it can be used for off-grid solar car charging. His team will drive an electric Tesla around Australia in September, powering it with 18 of their printed plastic solar panels that are 18 meters (59 feet) long. These thin, flexible strips look similar in appearance to a chip packet and can be rolled out beside the vehicle for off-grid charging.

Efficiency

Printed solar cells, which are made using a printing process, convert sunlight into electricity at a much lower cost than traditional silicon-based solar panels. They are also more sensitive to light conditions, so they can produce energy even on cloudy days. They are also lighter, so they can be rolled out and put up quickly in places that need power, such as earthquake-hit areas.

University of Newcastle scientists are testing the technology on a factory roof in Newcastle. They have been able to print the photovoltaic cells on a layer of laminated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, using a printer that was previously used for wine labels. The resulting solar panel is about the size of a small pizza, and can be installed in an afternoon.

Although the printed solar panels are less efficient than current silicon-based solar cells, they can still generate enough electricity to charge electric vehicles and other equipment. The research team is hoping to commercialise the technology within the next two years.

Durability

An Australian team of scientists has printed solar panels that are lightweight, flexible, and durable enough for public settings. Using an advanced 3D printing technique called volumetric solar cell printing, the researchers are able to produce solar cells for less than half the upfront cost and space requirements of traditional silicon-based solar cells.

The team from the University of Newcastle used a printer formerly used to produce wine labels to print the organic photovoltaic solar cells on a plastic film or sheet. The new solar technology, known as OPV printed solar panels, is intended to further revolutionise renewables by being thin enough to be coated on daily consumer items like buildings and vehicles.

The 59-foot long ultralight and ultraflexible strips are being used for the Charge Around Australia project to power an electric Tesla vehicle on its 84-day journey around the country. This real-world deployment will test the performance and durability of the new solar panel technology.

Installation

Using an industrial printer similar to one used for printing drink labels, researchers have produced a solar panel that can be printed on a sheet of thin plastic. The resulting material is lightweight, flexible and easy to install. The team is working on a wider rollout of this technology, which could revolutionise how renewable energy is distributed in the future.

The Newcastle team’s latest printing approach uses a new type of organic solar cell that can convert sunlight into electricity. The cells are printed onto a laminated layer of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, plastic. They are not as efficient as silicon solar panels and only last a few years, but they are much cheaper to make than conventional silicon-based ones.

The team is currently testing a 200-square-metre installation of the material at a Chep Australia warehouse in Newcastle, in partnership with Brambles. They plan to power an electric Tesla vehicle with it on a 15,100-kilometer journey around Australia in September, rolling out 18 of the panels beside the car for off-grid charging.



from Newcastle Solar Power Solutions https://ift.tt/ZIyehL2
via IFTTT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Commercial Solar Panels

Image
Everything You Required to Find Out About Leveraging Solar Power in Your Home April 24, 2023 Beatrice Alonzo Cruz Uncategorized As energy prices remain to rise, increasingly more households are searching for alternative energy options that are both cost-efficient as well as environmentally friendly. Solar power Newcastle is quickly gaining in popularity as it guarantees clean, renewable power without the hefty charges of traditional energy companies. Additionally, investing in solar can conserve Newcastle Solar Power Solutions Newcastle Solar Power Solutions 0240036437 175 Grinsell St, Kotara, NSW 2289 https://newcastlesolarpower.com.au/ Supporting Sources photo Commercial Solar Panels photo Commercial Solar Panels document Commercial Solar Panels presentation Commercial Solar Panels Commercial Solar Panels Every little thing You Need to Find Out About Leveraging Solar Power in your house April 24, 2023 Beatrice Alonzo Cruz Uncategorized As power costs continue to climb, increasingly m
Read more

Is Solar Power in Newcastle Australia Right For You?

Image
Australia is known as the sunburnt country, and Newcastle has plenty of sunshine to make solar power worth considering. The city gets about 5.3 peak sun hours per square meter on average throughout the year. There is no minimum feed-in tariff rate in NSW, so electricity retailers assign a value to exported solar power themselves. However, it is best to use the power during daylight hours for maximum benefits. Cost-effectiveness A solar system is a cost-effective way to reduce your energy bills. It uses sunlight to power household appliances and heat water. This can save you up to $600 a year on your electricity bill. It is also a great way to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy systems can also be used to generate a surplus of energy, which is then sold to the grid. The excess energy is stored in a battery , which can be charged at night time. This is important, as the price of electricity has been rising over the past few years. If you live in NSW, you can rec
Read more

Batteries – What Types of Batteries Are Available?

Image
Batteries come in all shapes and sizes. Single-use batteries are alkaline or nickel cadmium, while rechargeables are usually zinc, nickel metal hydride or lithium ion. Solar batteries can help you save on electricity costs by storing excess energy. They also provide backup power during blackouts. They also do not make noise while working. Deep Cycle Batteries Deep cycle batteries are the marathon runners of the battery world, providing a steady supply of power over a longer period. They are the ideal battery type for solar electric, backup power, traction, and RV and marine use. They are also the best option for off-grid solar power systems. Flooded (wet) deep cycle batteries have electrolytes that can leak if they are not stored in a safe location or charged correctly. Gel and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries have an electrolyte that is absorbed in a mat of fiberglass, making them safer to handle. Lithium batteries require no maintenance, can be discharged more deeply with
Read more