Power2 to the People
Since 2007 researchers at Monash University have been working on and developing flexible solar cells which can be attached to or even integrated with any surface.
In conjunction with the CSIRO, Melbourne University and the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium they recently achieved another significant breakthrough – the ability to print solar cells onto plastics and polymers.
And in an interesting twist, there may be a possibility that both organic printed and traditional silicone solar cells are combined to maximise the efficiencies of both beyond 30%.
Potentially and not too far in the future this means households can generate their own electricity and if they wish remain entirely independent of the grid.