CSIRO has opened a $6.8 million facility in Victoria dedicated to taking its printed flexible solar technology out of the lab and into the real world.
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.
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.
Related article: CSIRO achieves record efficiency for printed solar cells
CSIRO Renewable Energy Systems Group leader Dr Anthony Chesman says printed flexible solar is not intended to replace silicon rooftop panels, but rather complement them.
“This printed solar technology unlocks entirely new applications for affordable, versatile and sustainable energy generation,” Dr Chesman explains.
CSIRO’s innovative solar cells are made using an advanced material called perovskite, which is printed on long continuous rolls of flexible film.
“Our new system is highly automated. The multiple printing and laminating steps are performed in a single continuous operation, which significantly cuts down on production costs and the upfront investment needed to get started,” Dr Chesman says.
“Our team has also developed an automated system that can produce as many as 14,000 test solar cells a day to fine-tune their design and performance.
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“We’re looking for partners who want to join us on the R&D journey and ultimately take this technology to market.
“Our industry partners will gain access to both our cutting-edge equipment and our team of world-class scientists with their deep expertise in solar technology.”
Earlier this year, CSIRO set a new efficiency record for its flexible solar technology.
