Printable organic solar panels are on the way!
Swedish-based entrepreneur Epishine is ushering in a new era in the energy world with printable organic solar panels.
Sustainable Clean Energy
There has been an exciting development in the field of energy and sustainability. Swedish startup Epishine has received a €3.3 million grant from the European Union to develop indoor solar panels. But these panels are not ordinary solar panels; they are printable organic solar panels. Here are the details…
Printable organic solar panel
These panels use carbon-based organic molecules instead of silicon to conduct electricity. Organic solar cells are lightweight, inexpensive, semi-transparent, flexible, and most importantly, printable. These panels can convert indoor light into electricity. The light source can be sunlight coming through a window or completely artificial light, such as light from LED or halogen bulbs.
Organic Solar Panels
These panels are not very suitable for outdoor use as they deteriorate quickly outdoors. However, they are highly ideal for small electronic devices or Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Anders Kottenauer, the CEO of Epishine, stated that this funding will accelerate their efforts to make self-sustaining electronic devices the standard. The company’s goal is to “leave behind” disposable batteries and cables.
Last week, Epishine developed a self-charging temperature and humidity sensor in collaboration with the German telecommunications manufacturer Sentinum. The company also produces solar-powered electronic shelf labels and integrated circuits. Additionally, it is even developing a self-charging battery that operates with light in collaboration with the Chinese company Nichicon.
Matthias Josephson, co-founder of Epishine, stated, “Epishine’s two strengths are the thin flexibility of our solar cells and their high efficiency in very low light conditions.” In November, Epishine opened a new solar cell factory to meet the increasing demand. This new facility has the capacity to produce 100 million modules per year using the company’s roll-to-roll printing technology.
This system significantly speeds up production by printing solar cells onto very long plastic rolls. The aim of producing printable organic solar panels is to make small electronic devices and IoT applications energy-storing and sustainable.
