The University of Newcastle’s Printed Solar Panels Are Set to Revolutionise Solar Energy

The University of Newcastle has just rolled out Australia’s first large-scale test of printed solar panels. These are made using specialized electronic inks that are printed on clear laminated sheets as thin as paper.

These are a lot lighter, more versatile and less expensive than traditional solar panels. They can be built into vehicles, tools, survival equipment and more.

Ease of installation

The world’s first printed solar panels have been installed on a rooftop at a Newcastle business. The technology, which uses specialised electronic inks and conventional reel-to-reel printers, is set to revolutionise solar energy.

The panels were made by a team led by University of Newcastle scientist Professor Paul Dastoor. They are light, flexible and easy to install. In addition, the printed solar cells are cheaper than traditional silicon solar panels.

This innovative solar technology could one day be used to power everything from street lights and roadsides water pumps to disaster shelters and caravans. Moreover, it could even be used to make smart blinds for residential buildings.

Unlike today, where you are not rewarded for putting your solar power into the grid, these printed cells could be used to charge electric vehicles or provide power in rural and remote communities. They are also expected to be more sensitive to low sunlight, meaning that they can produce energy on cloudy days.

Lightweight

While traditional solar panels are heavy and require complex mounting structures, printed solar models can be rolled out like wallpaper. The technology enables the cells to be integrated into surfaces such as walls, tents, and backpacks. The panels are also extremely lightweight, making them ideal for use in developing countries and disaster relief operations.

Led by Professor Paul Dastoor, the team at UON has been printing a novel electronic ink onto clear laminate sheets as thin as a sheet of paper. The panels are being tethered to the roof and walls of a 100 square meter demonstration site with velcro strips.

The team will use the printed solar panels to power their electric vehicle on a 15,097 km journey around Australia. The expedition is a chance for the researchers to test their innovative technology in real world conditions. The panels are also more sensitive to low light and can produce power even on cloudy days.

Recyclable

Researchers at the University of Newcastle have printed solar cells on a large scale for the first time. They used inks made of semi-conducting materials to create flexible photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. These solar cells can be rolled onto 10-metre reels and connected in series to form a bank of solar panels. They are not toxic and do not require a glass covering, making them a safer alternative to traditional silicon-based solar panels.

The 640-square-metre array is located in Lane Cove Council’s new public space, called The Canopy. This deployment will allow researchers to monitor the performance and durability of the technology in a real-world setting.

The technology could have many applications, including disaster relief and recovery; retractable recharging systems for electric vehicles, caravans and camping equipment; yacht sails; swimming pool covers; greenhouse covers; and smart blinds for homes and high-rise buildings. It also has the potential to dispel range anxiety for electric car drivers and encourage more people to buy them.

Low cost

A team of researchers from the University of Newcastle has made the world’s first large-scale deployment of printed solar panels. The innovative technology, which uses semiconducting ink to print on clear laminate sheets, can be printed at a cost of about $10 per square metre.

Physicist Professor Paul Dastoor and his team have already used the technology to power screens and displays at a Sydney exhibition. Less than a millimetre thick and similar in appearance to a potato chip packet, the organic printed solar cells are light enough that they can be stuck to surfaces.

The research group hopes to use the technology in places where people can’t afford to install traditional silicon solar panels, such as flat rooftops. They are also working on a system that would allow consumers to lease the solar panels, similar to how people lease mobile phone plans, and swap them for newer versions as they wear out.

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