Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researchers, in collaboration with Swansea University, have developed a new material for cost effective and efficient solar panels.
Energy Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, visited QUT where the team, led by Associate Professor Prashant Sonar, has discovered and developed a material that could pave the way for inexpensive, stable and highly efficient solar panels.
“Queensland leads the way with rooftop solar and in the number of solar projects operational now and in the building, and planning and construction stages, so it is hardly surprising that Queensland researchers also are at the cutting edge,’’ Dr Lynham said.
“Professor Sonar and his team may well have made the breakthrough that will make future solar panels affordable for more and more Queenslanders.
“Affordability is one of the goals of the Palaszczuk Government, to make solar more accessible.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Dr Lynham launched the interest free solar system loans package in late June 2018, and Dr Lynham also announced the tender for suppliers for battery storage.
“This government is very obviously committed to renewables and when I heard of the research being done on Perovskite and organic solar cell technology by Dr Sonar and his team, I wanted to have a first-hand look,’’ Dr Lynham said.
The research also has the potential to lead to commercialising the product as a printable solar material that could then be used for blinds, shades or even clothing.
