New CSIRO facility takes printed flexible solar tech from lab to real world
Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has opened a $6.8 million facility in Clayton, Victoria, dedicated to taking its printed flexible solar technology out of the lab and into the real world, to help meet the growing demand for renewable energy across sectors.
Unlike traditional silicon solar panels, CSIRO’s flexible solar cells are printed on thin plastic films. This makes them lightweight, portable, and suitable for various applications across urban construction, space, defence, mining, emergency management, disaster relief, and wearables.
CSIRO Executive Director, Digital, National Facilities and Collections, Professor Elanor Huntington, says the cutting-edge printed photovoltaic (PV) facility is the newest addition to the agency’s suite of critical infrastructure that enable the industries of tomorrow – in this case, a thriving Australian flexible solar manufacturing industry. “Through CSIRO’s new printed PV facility, industry partners can access both researcher expertise and specialised equipment to improve and apply flexible solar technology in novel ways, anywhere there is sunlight.” Says Professor Huntington. It is expected to address energy challenges and contribute to reducing the CO2 emissions to zero, both in Australia and worldwide.
Leader of CSIRO’s Renewable Energy Systems Group, Dr Anthony Chesman, says printed flexible solar is not intended to replace silicon rooftop panels, but rather to complement them: "This printed solar technology unlocks entirely new applications for affordable, versatile and sustainable energy generation."
The innovative solar cells are made using an advanced material called perovskite, which is printed on long continuous rolls of flexible film. A highly automated production line performs multiple printing and laminating steps in a single continuous operation, which not only managed as many as 14,000 test solar cells a day but also cuts down on costs and upfront investment, according to Dr Chesman. Still looking for industry partners, the Renewable Energy Systems Group is willing to share solar technology equipment and experienced scientists.
In addition to printed flexible solar, the lab is equipped to explore other fields that use printable materials for battery and hydrogen technologies, opening doors to a wider range of innovative applications. Earlier this year, CSIRO set a new efficiency record for its flexible solar technology. The Printed PV Facility received funding from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) via the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP).
Source: CSIRO
Caption: The innovative solar cells are made using an advanced material called perovskite (Image: CSIRO).