It’s no secret that solar panels are set to change the way the world harnesses energy - especially when considering that next-generation homes could be powered by batteries that are charged by self-harnessed energy - and just like any other piece of modern technology, scientists and researchers have been actively looking at ways to make the solar panel manufacturing process more optimized using an additive manufacturing process.
Feierman China Ltd is now in the process of developing its newest revolutionary product: Paper-Thin, Organic Printable Solar Panels.

Unlike traditional electricity-producing solar panels, the printed cells offer the potential to allow printing onto actual housing materials including glass and roofing - a factor that could dramatically open up design opportunities. In addition to the opportunities for printing the cells on to larger structures, the scientists also looked at ways of applying the technology onto smaller objects such as iPads.
iPad covers, laptop bags, skins of iPhone [will no longer be] just for casing electronics, but to collect some energy as well and power those electronics.

Feierman’s team has worked to reduce each of the solar panels to approximately the size of a coin and have been able to achieve this manufacturing marvel thanks to 3D printers that have been modified to print with solar ink.

“We count on the technology’s effectiveness and simplicity. A 10×10 cm solar cell film is enough to generate as much as 10-50 watts per square meter.”Said Nicholas Tan, chief research officer with Feierman.

The product is now in testing across regions of Africa and India, where it helps small rural communities to have electricity for the first time and at a minuscule cost, a fraction of what a tradition solar panel would cost.

Feierman China Ltd. will announce the release of this revolutionary technology by the end of 2016.

Mei Lee Shu
Public Relations - Research Desk
FEIERMAN CHINA LTD.
菲爾曼(中國)有限公司