A country has decided to install solar panels in the least expected place. A reality that is just as surprising as these indoor solar panels. In a world increasingly committed to mitigating climate change and pursuing sustainability, energy transition has become a priority. At a global level, strict environmental targets have already been imposed, forcing both governments and companies to abandon fossil fuels and switch to renewable energy sources.
Solar panels have emerged as a promising solution to produce energy in a clean and renewable way. They are made to generate energy from solar energy. With these devices it is possible to provide energy at different scales: from supplying a street lamp to an entire city. It is even possible to use the solar panels along with battery storage to disconnect the user from the grid.
This technology provides energy where the user who needs it is located. It should be noted that the energy transition, in which photovoltaic modules play a crucial role, aims to abandon polluting fossil fuels and adopt renewable and sustainable energy sources. In this way the energy transition becomes a reality solar panels They represent an essential step towards a sustainable future.
This country shows a new way to use solar panels
Australia has started installing solar panels in the boat sails. Loose electric boats Due to their technical limitations, they have not made the same progress as other sectors. However, a group of Australian researchers have found a solution to adapt sailboats to sustainability: solar sails. In concrete terms, this involves a team of scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) by Australia.
This group of experts has succeeded in increasing the commercial power of their flexible perovskite cells. We have been working on this method for 15 years, which makes it possible to print solar cells on rolls of flexible foil. These advances facilitate the fabrication of lightweight and portable solar films that can be incorporated into various applications.
For example, one of these would be the sail of a sailboat. Thanks to its flexibility and lightness, its implementation would not affect its correct functioning and would be especially useful on long voyages or on the high seas. The printed photovoltaic installation has been carried out thanks to a new photovoltaic printing facility worth A$6.8 million.
The new machine was installed on a pilot scale and performs the following functions: printing, coating and roll-to-roll (R2R) laminating. In addition, its modular design allows it to use different printing techniques for rolls up to 300 mm wide. This system includes a module to safely encapsulate the solar cells in a controlled nitrogen environment.
Solar panels on boats: the idea that is breaking through in the energy sector
It is not the first time that placement has occurred solar panels on boats. Many millionaires are already betting on sustainable yachts with wind turbines and there is even talk of the largest catamaran in the world. However, it is still a sector that must solve several challenges due to the autonomy of its batteries, the lack of charging infrastructure and the high production costs.
This scenario only encourages researchers to continue studying and developing ways to achieve high levels of efficiency in perovskite cells. The project carried out by CSIRO establishes its commercial viability within five to ten years.
In short, Australia want to install solar panels on boat sails. A context that is as promising as that of new solar panels without installation.