Cutting-edge solar energy solutions from Victoria
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19 February 2009
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Printing trials of flexible lightweight solar cells that are almost as thin as paper have begun in Victoria, using similar technology to that used for printing money.
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Backed by a $6 million Victorian Government grant, the trials will involve the development of film-like solar cells which have the potential to be mass produced cheaply and installed over large areas.
The light weight and flexibility of the plastic cells mean they can not only be attached to roofs, but also walls and windows, allowing for greater opportunities to harness solar energy.
Researchers have collaborated with Victorian-based banknote printing company Securency International to use their printing expertise and conduct the printing trials at their Craigieburn printing presses.
The consortium includes researchers from the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the CSIRO and industry partners Securency International, BP Solar, Bluescope Steel and Merck.
The project partners have strong international links with Imperial College in London, Cornell University and the Georgia Institute of Technology in the USA and the Singapore Agency for Science Technology and Research.
“The technology used for these cells is still in its infancy, but this project aims to speed-up the development of this technology and take it from research to rooftops as quickly as possible,” Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Peter Batchelor, said.
“This type of technology development by local researchers will also make sure Victoria is a leader in sustainable energy research,” he said.
The project is at the half-way point, with printing trials currently six months ahead of schedule.
The solar cells are being developed through a three-year, $12 million project being run by the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium. The Brumby Government provided $6 million to the project through an Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) Sustainable Energy Research and Development grant.
“This is helping to put Victoria at the forefront of solar technology development, and it is a great example of the work being done to expand Victoria’s sustainable energy technology strengths, Mr Batchelor said.
“This project builds on projects such as the grant of up to $50 million provided for the Solar Systems power station near Mildura and the Victorian Renewable Energy Target,” he said. |
