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CSIRO's new facility for printed flexible solar techology

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05 Nov, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

CSIRO has opened its $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.

The leader of CSIRO’s Renewable Energy Systems Group, Dr Anthony Chesman, said 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,” Chesman said.

Professor Elanor Huntington, CSIRO’s Executive Director, Digital, National Facilities and Collections, added: “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.

“This not only offers incredible opportunities for Australian manufacturers but also contributes to addressing global energy challenges and advancing the transition to net zero.”

CSIRO’s 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,” Chesman said.

“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.

“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.”

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).

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The federal government said the release of this paper is a key step in implementing its Sustainable Finance Roadmap — designed to help mobilise the capital required for Australia to become a renewable energy superpower, modernising the financial markets and maximising the economic opportunities from net zero.

This consultation paper seeks views from investors, companies and the broader community on a framework for sustainable investment product labels.

These labels are designed to help investors and consumers identify, compare and make informed decisions about sustainable investment products to understand what ‘sustainable’, ‘green’ or similar words mean when they’re applied to financial products.

The government said a more robust and clear product-labelling framework will help investors and consumers invest in sustainable products with confidence and help tackle greenwashing.

This phase of consultation will run from 18 July to 29 August and help the government refine its design principles for the framework.

The consultation paper is available on the Treasury consultation hub.

Image credit: iStock.com/wenich-mit

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