Australian scientists may have brought portable solar power a step closer with a breakthrough in lightweight printed solar cells. Researchers from CSIRO and four universities have achieved record-setting efficiencies that could pave the way for flexible, transportable solar technology suitable for an array of applications.

While traditional solar panels are rigid and heavy, the CSIRO team has been developing lightweight cells made by printing ink onto thin plastic films. As Dr. Anthony Chesman, leader of CSIRO’s renewable energy systems group, explained, “It’s the best demonstration that this is a viable method of making the solar cells.”

The new research, published in Nature Communications, reports efficiency records for fully roll-to-roll printed solar cells, wherein all layers were manufactured using printing techniques. For a small device, the scientists achieved an impressive 15.5% efficiency, while a larger 50-centimeter square cell maintained 11% efficiency.

According to lead author Dr. Doojin Vak, a principal research scientist at CSIRO, this breakthrough was made possible by integrating machine learning into the production process. “We developed a system for rapidly producing and testing over 10,000 solar cells a day – something that would have been impossible to do manually,” he said.

The team’s innovations extended beyond the manufacturing process. By employing specialized carbon inks, they eliminated the need for costly materials like gold, potentially reducing production costs significantly.

Although the emerging printed solar cell technology still lags behind the efficiency of conventional silicon solar panels, its lightweight and portable nature could open up novel real-world applications. As Dr. Chesman explained, “There are people who want to use solar in spaces where silicone isn’t suitable.”

Envisioned use cases include rapid deployment in disaster relief efforts, portable power for construction sites, mining operations, and agricultural settings. John Grimes, CEO of the Smart Energy Council, highlighted additional possibilities: “A good application is in places like chicken farms where the structure is not engineered to take heavy solar on the roof. Another is in scenarios like emergencies where you need deployable power.”

With these promising results in hand, CSIRO is taking steps toward larger-scale production and eventual commercialization. The agency has commissioned the construction of a pilot-scale printing facility to enable the printing of cells in a single line. Additionally, CSIRO is seeking industry partners to further develop and bring the technology to market.

“We’re very interested in the niche applications we can move towards now,” remarked Dr. Chesman, underscoring the team’s enthusiasm for the technology’s potential impact.