Researchers at Suzhou University in China have unveiled a groundbreaking ultra-thin flexible solar panel, with a thickness roughly equivalent to a sheet of paper.
The innovation, reported by China Central Television, combines extremely thin layers of crystalline silicon with perovskite material to capture solar energy more efficiently.
Professor Zhang Xiaohong, who led the research team, explained that the multilayered flexible photovoltaic element “integrates traditional materials, including crystalline silicon and perovskite, with each layer absorbing specific wavelengths of sunlight.”
According to Zhang, this design allows the new solar panel to harness a broader spectrum of solar energy compared to single-layer cells, converting sunlight into electricity with higher efficiency.
The research team envisions applications for the technology in long-term power supply for spacecraft, data centers, and other energy-intensive infrastructure.
China has made substantial advances in solar battery technology, cementing its global leadership in several areas:
Technological Innovation:
• Achieving world-class solar cell efficiency with PERC cells, thin-film layers, and bifacial solar panels.
• Advancing energy storage solutions with high-efficiency, safe lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
Industrial Capacity and Supply Chain:
• Comprehensive supply chains from raw materials to final manufacturing.
• Producing over 80% of the world’s solar cells, with massive industrial capacity.
Cost Reduction:
• Technological innovation and economies of scale have significantly lowered solar panel production costs, enhancing competitiveness against conventional energy sources.
Wide Applications:
• Deployment across residential, commercial, and large-scale solar projects.
• Increasing integration with smart grids and energy storage systems.
Government Support:
• Policies such as “Made in China 2025” promoting green energy.
• Significant R&D investment and infrastructure development.
Global Expansion:
• Chinese firms like Jinko Solar, LONGi, and CATL leading internationally.
• Exporting solar technologies and equipment for global projects.
Future Challenges and Trends:
• Enhancing efficiency further and developing next-generation technologies such as organic solar cells.
• Improving recycling capabilities to reduce electronic waste.
• Increasing integration of solar energy with AI and Internet of Things (IoT) systems.
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