Researchers at University of Queensland (UQ) have developed a new type of indoor solar panel that is safer, more environmentally friendly, and highly efficient.
This breakthrough could make it easier to power small electronic devices inside homes and offices using everyday light.
Indoor solar panels are not a new idea, but current commercial versions—usually made from silicon—are not very efficient under indoor lighting. They typically convert only about 10% of light into electricity.
To improve this, scientists have been exploring a newer material called perovskite, which has shown much better performance. However, most perovskite solar cells contain lead, a toxic material that raises safety and environmental concerns.
The UQ team, led by Dr. Miaoqiang Lyu and Professor Lianzhou Wang, has found a way to solve this problem.
They created a new manufacturing method that removes the need for lead and other harmful chemicals. Instead of using liquid solvents, which can be hazardous, they developed a vapor-based process to produce high-quality, lead-free perovskite material.
This method was developed by Ph.D. student Zitong Wang and allows the material to be made with fewer defects, which helps improve performance.
Using this approach, the team achieved an efficiency of 16.36% in their indoor solar cells. This is the highest reported efficiency so far for lead-free perovskite indoor solar panels made with a process that can be scaled up for industry use.
These solar cells are designed to work under low light conditions, such as LED and fluorescent lighting commonly found indoors.
This makes them ideal for powering small, low-energy devices. For example, they could be used in environmental sensors, wearable health devices, and other small electronics.
One exciting potential use is in electronic shelf labels in supermarkets. These labels are often powered by small batteries, which need to be replaced regularly.
By using indoor solar panels instead, stores could reduce battery waste and maintenance work. The technology could also help reduce the number of coin-cell batteries used in toys and other everyday items, which often end up as waste.
Another advantage of the new panels is their flexibility.
They are thin and can be made on plastic, allowing them to be shaped and integrated into different products easily. This opens up many possibilities for design and use in consumer electronics.
Before these panels can be widely used, researchers need to improve their durability. The next step is to protect them from air and moisture through a process called encapsulation. Once this is achieved, the technology could be ready for the market within a few years.
This development marks an important step toward cleaner and safer energy solutions for everyday indoor use.
Source: University of Queensland.
