CSIRO's flexible solar cells are printed on ultra-thin plastic films, making them lightweight, portable, and adaptable for a wide range of uses
The facility will enable industry partners to improve and apply flexible solar technology in novel ways
Printed flexible solar is not intended to replace silicon rooftop panels, but rather to complement them
Australian government agency for scientific research, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), has officially launched a AUD 6.8 million facility in Clayton, Victoria, aimed at scaling its innovative printed flexible solar technology from lab research to real-world application.
This new facility brings a game-changing approach. Unlike conventional silicon panels, CSIRO’s flexible solar cells are printed on ultra-thin plastic films, making them lightweight, portable, and adaptable for a wide range of uses in urban construction, space exploration, defense, mining, emergency management, disaster relief, and wearable technology.
CSIRO’s Executive Director of Digital, National Facilities, and Collections, Prof. Elanor Huntington, said the Printed Photovoltaic (PV) facility is a critical asset that will enhance CSIRO’s infrastructure to support future industries – particularly, a strong Australian flexible solar manufacturing sector.
“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. It’s exciting to see the techniques that enabled another great CSIRO invention to now be available to partners in industry to make a difference in Australia and globally. This not only offers incredible opportunities for Australian manufacturers but also contributes to addressing global energy challenges and advancing the transition to net zero,” Prof. Huntington said.
Leader of CSIRO's Renewable Energy Systems Group, Dr. Anthony Chesman, emphasized that 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. 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 said.
Speaking about how his 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, Dr. Chesman urged partners, who want to join his team on the R&D journey and ultimately take this technology to market, to come forward.
Beyond printed flexible solar, the facility is equipped to advance research into printable materials for battery and hydrogen technologies, expanding possibilities for a broader array of innovative applications.
Earlier this year, CSIRO had announced a 'clean energy breakthrough' with a 'new efficiency record' for fully roll-to-roll printed solar cells (see Australia’s CSIRO-Led Team Reports New Efficiency Record).