New bendy solar panels based on leaves

4th May 2012

New solar panel technology based on leaves could make green electricity generation less expensive and more efficient.

A team of boffins at Princeton University have revealed that by simply adding tiny folds to the surface of photovoltaic panels, they can dramatically increase their exposure to sunlight.

The folding technology can also help to boost solar panel durability – which means they retain their capabilities even after bending.

This means that energy can be generated in a more effective way – and could even result in solar panels appearing in the unlikeliest of places.

Leaves provided the perfect inspiration, according to Princeton University chemical and biological engineering professor Yueh-Lin (Lynn) Loo.

"If you look at leaves very closely, they are not smooth, they have these sorts of structures. We'd like to mimic this geometric effect in synthetic, man-made light-harvesting systems," she said.

By branching out from traditional flat solar panels, the possibilities are virtually endless.

Soon, she explains, we could see solar panel technology being used on all types of surfaces, from outdoor walls or window panel inserts to even the fabric on backpacks.

"On a flat surface, the light is either absorbed or it bounces back," Loo says. But the new technology incorporates wrinkles, waves and twists, which facilitate better absorption of sunlight.

Princeton researchers have also been looking beyond silicon – which is what most rooftop solar panels are made of – to investigate if other materials may make it easier and cheaper to generate electricity from sunlight.

The panels used in the new Princeton study – which was published in the scientific journal Nature Photonics – were made out of flexible plastic, which Loo says could offer a lower-cost solution.

Up until now, it has been hard to get plastic panels to perform as efficiently as their silicon counterparts – but the technology is improving all the time.

Commercial development targets generally require panel efficiency of between ten and 15 per cent – and recent research from UCLA in California has created a panel system that has 10.6 per cent efficiency. This could be a promising sign that the technology is almost there – and with Loo's folding technology added to the mix, cheaper and more flexible panels could soon be our reality.

Would you wear a flexible solar panel on your bag when you're out and about?

Posted by Mike Peacock

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: