Solar panels are usually heavy (15–20kg/m2) and made from silicon. Now an Australian company is commercializing an Australian university innovation using organic semiconductor polymers, printed at high volume in liquid form, to create solar cells able to convert solar energy into electricity.
The cells and conductive layers can be printed and encapsulated in recyclable re-used plastic (in total < 0.3mm thick) to create a very low cost source of solar energy, particularly suited to large scale applications like commercial and industrial vacant roof space that can’t bear the weight of heavy silicon solar panels. Printed Solar is easy to install and remove, extremely light weight (300 grams/m2), robust (can be walked on) and is a fully recyclable source of sustainable renewable energy. The panels are installed by attaching them to existing infrastructure such as roofs and walls using commercially available high bonding double sided adhesive, with no penetration of underlying infrastructure required.
Check out:
https://www.kardiniaenergy.com/
Public Debut for Printed Solar / Featured news / Newsroom / The University of Newcastle, Australia