Farida Fawzy: 3D Printed Solar Panels

3D printing is the next big thing. But what differentiates it from the Apple watch, the self-balancing scooter, or any other sci-fi toy that pops up every few years? 3D printing can now contribute to moving our planet forward by providing a cheaper and more accessible way to create solar panels. Australian scientists have developed paper-thin 3D printable solar panels, which MIT researchers have found to be 20% more efficient, and half the price of regular ones. The uses of these solar panels are endless, but the innovation could be revolutionary in providing clean, renewable energy for 1.3 billion people in developing countries.

Check out the video of the 3D printed-Australian made solar cells here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mDzb_mNtmk

For more information on the research: http://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=486
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Behold The Future...Melbourne researchers have successfully created Australia's largest and most flexible solar cells, with the aid of a new printer located at CSIRO.

The breakthrough may have far reaching applications, including for public lighting, outdoor signage and mobile power generation.
The scientists are part of a collaboration between research and industry called the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC).

Australian solar power experts making up the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium have developed and begun to market solar cells that are created with a 3D printer.

“The group, consisting of scientists from the CSIRO, the University of Melbourne and Monash University have been working on the technology for over seven years and have figured out a way to cheaply print the panels onto plastic, including smart-phones and laptops, enabling self charging electronics. They are also able to print directly on to walls and windows using an opaque solar film and claim that they can line a skyscraper with panels, making it totally electrically self sufficient.” said sciencealert.com

“We print them onto plastic in more or less the same way we print our plastic banknotes,” said Fiona Scholes, senior research scientist at CSIRO. “Connecting our solar panels is as simple as connecting a battery. It’s very cheap. The way in which it looks and works is quite different to conventional silicon rooftop solar.”

The next step is to create a solar spray coating to enhance the power of the panel. “We would like to improve the efficiency of solar panels – we need to develop solar inks to generate more energy from sunlight,” said Scholes. “We are confident we can push the technology further in the years to come.”

VISIONS — CTRL+P Australia's Largest Solar Cells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mDzb_mNtmk

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Mass-Produced, Printable Solar Cells Enter Market & Could Change Everything

http://upriser.com/posts/mass-produced-printable-solar-cells-enter-market-could-change-everything