3D printed photovoltaics, the solution to bring clean energy to 1,3 billion people around the world

    Create photovoltaic cells thanks to special printers, bringing clean energy to those who still live without electricity. Worldwide 1,3 billion people do not have access to energy but the solution could be provided by cells made with this technique

    He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him





    Create the celle photovoltaic thanks to special printers, bringing clean energy to those who still live without electricity. Worldwide 1,3 billion people do not have access to energy but the solution could be provided by cells made with this technique.

    The cost of energy produced by the sun has dropped significantly in recent decades, from $ 40 per watt in 1977 to $ 0,74 in 2013. This trend is set to accelerate efficiency improvements and new technologies. A good news for those who live in developed countries and want to opt for a cleaner solution. But it is great news for those who do not have the "luxury" of electricity.

    The advantages were explained by Scott Watkins of the Korean company Kyung-In Synthetic, on the occasion of the Smart Villages session at the World Conference of Science Journalists in Seoul, which took place in recent days.

    In poor countries, a cheaper and cleaner form of energy is even more important and difficult. But thanks to low cost photovoltaic cells made with 3D printing all of this could be reality.

    Such thin solar cells require only an industrial printer for production and are also inexpensive to produce. Unlike traditional panels, printed photovoltaic cells are flexible, which also facilitates transportation to rural areas.

    3D printed photovoltaics, the solution to bring clean energy to 1,3 billion people around the world

    A promising sector. In fact, within a few years, the interests and funding for research in favor of photovoltaic cells made with printing have taken off, passing from 3% efficiency to 20%.

    In addition to practicality, according to Watkins, another advantage of printed solar cells is to adopt materials such as perovskite, a crystal that offers high yields, as opposed to current technologies used by silicon-based panels, which require a large amount of sunlight.



    "I saw firsthand how technology has enabled poor urban communities in India to access off-grid electricity", explains Watkins. “Success is due to economy and simplicity. The film for a 10 × 10cm solar cell is sufficient to generate up to 10-50 watts per square meter ”.

    However, printed solar cells have been shown to be vulnerable to moisture and could cause lead contamination if they break. This is why we are already working on “spray” solutions, which are even safer.

    But there are others problems to solve. According to Bernie Jones, co-leader of the Smart Villages initiative, even though the method of producing low-cost solar films has been perfected, replicating the manufacturing process requires a large amount of capital.

    “Entrepreneurs who have already committed cannot afford to invest in the printing presses needed to produce low-cost solar strips,” he explains.

    Other difficulties involve the creation of a distribution network, which is more difficult for those who live in areas that are difficult to reach. For this a solution could be provided by the creation of cooperatives in local communities.

    Despite the challenges, the printed solar cells they are a powerful tool of fight against poverty and represent an important step towards the goal of producing 100% energy from renewable sources around the world.



    Francesca Mancuso

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