The solar energy sector has great potential for growth. Advanced and easy-to-use solar panels could make electricity production easier and contribute significantly to clean energy. Is that time coming soon?

According to a report, researchers have developed the world’s first flexible solar panel. It is so thin that it can be coated onto any object, turning that object into a portable energy source.

Scientists have created solar cells that are 150 times thinner than traditional silicon-based panels, yet they still produce a lot of energy. They say these panels can be printed onto objects like cars or smartphone cases, making these devices capable of generating solar energy.

The material they have developed is only one micron (0.001 mm) thick. This invention has been certified by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan, though the study has not yet been published.

Researchers from Oxford University made this breakthrough. They created a new photovoltaic material using perovskite structures, which convert sunlight into energy.

Panels to Be Made in Labs and Factories

The material is a synthetic version of calcium titanate. It is claimed to be inexpensive to produce in labs or factories, which could lead to large-scale production of these new solar panels.

Researchers believe this innovation will allow for the creation of affordable solar energy by applying perovskite coatings to various surfaces. This could include car surfaces, building roofs, and even the back of mobile phones.