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An ultra-thin, flexible solar coating created by Oxford scientists can be inkjet-applied to a variety of surfaces, revolutionising solar energy technology and efficiency.
In a breakthrough that could radically change the future of clean energy, scientists at the University of Oxford have developed an ultra-thin solar technology that can turn virtually any surface into a power source. The new solar coating can be applied using an inkjet to everyday objects such as backpacks, cell phones and car roofs — and is 100 times thinner than a human hair. The innovation promises to nearly double the efficiency of traditional solar panels, marking a new chapter in the use of technology for renewable energy sources.
More efficient and versatile solar panels
The secret to this energy revolution lies in a material called perovskite, which stands out for its high efficiency in capturing light.
According to researchers, the coatings developed achieve a conversion rate of approximately 27% of sunlight into electrical energy — surpassing current silicon solar panels, which are around 22%.
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Perovskites have the ability to absorb a wider range of the solar spectrum, which means greater light capture and, consequently, more energy generated.
At less than 1 micron thick, the new material is about 150 times thinner than conventional silicon wafers and, because it is extremely flexible, can be applied to plastics, paper, building walls and other varied surfaces using a standard inkjet printer.
Energy beyond traditional power plants
This innovation comes in a context of growing demand for clean, renewable energy, driven by climate change and the global need to reduce carbon emissions.
In 2023, the installation of solar panels in the world grew 80% compared to 2022, according to data from Wood Mackenzie.
The report Global Electricity Review 2024, from the climate think tank Ember, named solar power as the fastest-growing source of electricity for the 19th year in a row.
The main competitive advantage of this new technology is the possibility of decentralizing solar energy production, avoiding the intensive use of large areas for solar parks — an issue that often generates friction between governments, farmers and companies in the sector.
“More solar energy without relying on silicon”
“This is important because it promises more solar energy without the need for silicon-based panels or purpose-built solar plants,” said Junke Wang, one of the scientists involved in the project.
He also highlighted the potential for applying the material to various surfaces, such as the roofs of buildings, vehicles and even the back of smartphones, which would open up a range of possibilities for the distributed generation of solar energy.
Despite the excitement about advances in efficiency and flexibility, the technology still faces a major challenge: stability.
Many perovskite coatings developed in the laboratory have a limited lifespan and can dissolve or break in a short period of time, which compromises their commercial viability compared to silicon solar panels, which are already well established in the market.
Scientists, however, continue to work to improve the durability of the material and make it competitive.
“The latest innovations in solar materials and techniques demonstrated in our laboratories could become a platform for a new industry, making materials to generate solar energy more sustainably and cheaply, using existing buildings, vehicles and objects,” said Henry Snaith, leader of the Oxford team.
Industry is already starting to invest in new technology
Snaith also leads the Oxford PV, a spin-off company from the University of Oxford that has already begun industrial-scale production of painéis solares with perovskite technology in a factory in Germany.
This initiative demonstrates that the market is already aware of the transformative potential of innovation, which can reduce costs and expand the adoption of solar energy in different sectors, such as civil construction and the automotive industry.
The combination of cutting-edge technology, energy efficiency and application flexibility places perovskite coatings as protagonists in a possible new era of solar energy.
If stability challenges are overcome, the world will be able to count on a highly effective and sustainable alternative, capable of further accelerating the energy transition and reducing dependence on large solar farms.
Want to know how this technology could impact your daily life? Imagine charging your cell phone just by leaving it in the sun — the future of clean energy could be closer than you think.
With information from CNN
