AU: Electric partnership powers energy innovation

With Australia’s energy crisis dominating news headlines, a powerful new industry – research collaboration is signalling the emergence of a new renewable energy market - organic printed solar.

Created by University of Newcastle Physicist, Professor Paul Dastoor, organic printed solar cells are electronic inks printed onto sub-millimetre thin plastic sheets using conventional printers. CHEP, a Brambles company, has become their historic first commercial partner helping to explore the potential of the technology.

“This is the first commercial uptake of printed solar in Australia, most likely the world. It’s an historic step in the evolution of this technology and another example of private enterprise and community leading the charge in the adoption of renewables,” Professor Dastoor said.

The commercial-scale installation on CHEP’s Beresfield pallet repair facility is the final stop before the technology becomes widely available.

“Our printed solar cells are now considered to be at the ‘top of the technology readiness tree’. Those working in technology development use a NASA developed Technology Readiness Level or ‘TRL’ system to determine how evolved our solutions are, with one being the lowest and 9 the highest. We are now rated TRL 8 and considered at ‘green light’ stage."

Kat Crofts
CHEP Australia

Tel: +61 (2) 9856 2547

Email: kathryn.crofts@chep.com