Solar Panels Can Be Printed Using Conventional Presses

Researchers have taken another step towards making solar power as commonplace as signing up for a mobile phone plan. They have successfully tested an innovative, paper-thin solar panel that can be printed using conventional printing presses.

Physicists at university of newcastle mounted the solar array on the roof of CHEP Australia’s Beresfield service centre to monitor it in real world conditions. The panels are similar in thickness to a chip packet and hold up against weather elements.

Ease of installation

Researchers at the University of Newcastle have invented solar panels that are flexible, lightweight and transparent. They can be used to power homes, businesses, vehicles and daily consumer products. They are printed using electronic ink, and can be applied to flat surfaces. These innovations are expected to accelerate renewable energy adoption.

The team has developed a method for printing organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells on plastic sheets at low cost. This is an advance on existing silicon-based technology that is expensive to manufacture and not as efficient in poor light conditions.

The team says its new technology is cheaper and easier to install than current technology. It is also more portable and can be integrated into structural materials, building blinds and disaster shelters. It could even be used to power military equipment and reduce the need for fuel airlifting in remote operations. It can also be used to power a variety of household items including lights and fans.

Efficiency

Solar energy systems are currently one of the world’s most popular renewable energy technologies. They produce clean, low-cost electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, they can be expensive to install, which is a barrier for many households. A new Australian technology could make solar power more affordable and accessible. Researchers at the University of Newcastle have developed printable solar cells that are thin, light and flexible. They are similar in thickness to a chip packet and can be printed using conventional printers.

Unlike silicon-based panels, these printed solar cells are made from semi-conducting materials like copper(II) oxide and zinc oxide. They are also non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

The research team from the University of Newcastle has recently installed Australia’s first commercial-scale pilot for printed solar at CHEP’s Beresfield Service Centre in Callaghan. The project will show the potential of the ultra-light and ultra-flexible solar technology to revolutionise urban power generation. Check out the video below (warning: it’s accompanied by annoying music). You can also read more about this exciting development at this link.

Longevity

A solar panel’s useful life can last for 25 to 30 years. That’s not to say they’re not still producing energy at that point – but it does mean their output will decrease over time. Depending on the manufacturer, this decline can be offset with routine maintenance and repairs.

A physicist at the University of Newcastle is testing out printed solar panels in a real world setting. These ultralight and flexible strips are similar in texture to a potato chip packet, and they can be rolled out on a roof using Velcro.

The team has unveiled the first commercial printed solar demonstration site at CHEP’s Beresfield Service Centre in Lane Cove, NSW. At 100 square metres, it’s one of only three sites of this size worldwide. It will allow researchers to monitor the performance of the material under a range of environmental conditions. Ultimately, they hope to create a solar solution that could be delivered in a similar way as a mobile phone contract.

Sustainability

Researchers from University of Newcastle have printed solar cells on a factory roof and claim they will revolutionise renewable energy. Unlike silicon-based panels, the Newcastle team’s new technology uses Earth-abundant materials and can be made using standard printing techniques. The scientists have said that a 200 square-metre array of their new solar cells would produce electricity at a cost of less than $10 per square kilometre.

The new panels, which are similar in texture to a potato chip packet, can be printed on any surface. Moreover, they can be produced much more quickly than conventional solar panels, which are fabricated in semiconductor fabrication plants.

The technology is being commercialised by Kardinia Energy, an Australian company that aims to make solar power available to everyone. The cheapest and fastest renewable energy technology available today, it is also more lightweight than existing solar panels. Consequently, it could be transported to remote locations and deployed as relief energy in emergencies.



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