Scientists at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have achieved a groundbreaking efficiency record for fully roll-to-roll printed solar cells. 

In a significant leap forward for clean energy technology, this breakthrough represents a major advancement in the field of solar energy.

Published in the journal Nature Communications, the technology behind these printed solar cells is revolutionary. Unlike traditional silicon solar panels, which are rigid and heavy, these printed solar cells are lightweight and flexible. 

Groundbreaking Roll-to-Roll Solar Cells

Scientists showed solar cell performances of 15.5% efficiency on a small scale and 11% for a 50 cm2 module, setting a record for entirely printed solar cells.

Dr. Anthony Chesman, CSIRO's Renewable Energy Systems Group Leader, describes this achievement as the result of nearly a decade of dedicated research. 

He emphasizes the potential impact of this technology, highlighting its versatility in urban construction, mining operations, emergency management, disaster relief, space exploration, defense applications, and personal electronics.

"CSIRO's thin and light-weight solar cells are now on the cusp of emerging from the lab to create clean energy in the real world," Dr Chesman said in a statement.

One key factor enabling this breakthrough is roll-to-roll printing. This manufacturing technique allows for the production of solar cells on long, continuous rolls of plastic, significantly increasing production rates.

Dr. Chesman points out that leveraging methods already widely used in the printing industry makes production more accessible for manufacturers, potentially leading to economic and environmental benefits on a global scale.

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A Closer Look

Integral to the success of these printed solar cells is the use of an advanced material called perovskite. Dr. Doojin Vak, CSIRO Principal Research Scientist, explains that perovskites can be formulated into inks and used in industrial printers, making them ideal for this application.

"We've also alleviated the need to use expensive metals, such as gold, in their production by using specialized carbon inks, which further reduces production costs," Vak said. 

Furthermore, the optimization process employed by CSIRO involves automation and machine learning. By rapidly producing and testing thousands of solar cells per day, researchers efficiently identified optimal parameters for the roll-to-roll printing process.

While it is acknowledged that perovskite solar cells currently lag behind silicon solar panels in terms of efficiency and longevity, CSIRO sees a unique role for its printed solar technology. Dr. Chesman emphasizes these solar cells' lightweight, flexible nature, making them easily transportable to any location with sunlight.

Collaboration played a significant role in this achievement, with researchers from the University of Cambridge, Monash University, the University of Sydney, and the University of New South Wales contributing to the study.

The study demonstrates a significant step towards commercializing hybrid perovskite solar cells. By utilizing scalable manufacturing processes and achieving impressive performance metrics, the researchers have laid the foundation for the widespread adoption of this technology.

The potential cost of production for these solar cells is estimated to be around 0.7 USD per watt for a production rate of 1,000,000 square meters per year in Australia. This projection indicates a promising path towards cost-competitive solar energy solutions.

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