A breakthrough from UNSW Sydney researchers could soon make solar energy cheaper, more reliable, and easier to produce, potentially saving the global industry more than a billion dollars each year.
The team's new contactless solar cell inspection technology is a major leap forward, promising faster manufacturing, less waste, and smoother progress toward a cleaner, healthier planet.
What makes it especially exciting is how directly it could benefit everyday people: more efficient production brings down costs, helping individuals, cities, and companies access affordable, cleaner energy without relying so heavily on resource-intensive power grids.
The innovation targets a long-standing challenge in solar manufacturing. For more than a decade, factories have relied on "current-voltage" testers that physically touch solar cells, an increasingly risky approach as cells become thinner and more advanced.
These devices can damage delicate materials and don't work well with emerging technologies like perovskite and tandem cells. They're also limited to late-stage testing, which means early defects often go unnoticed, slowing production and increasing waste.
UNSW's ACDC Research Group has solved this with a system that shines light onto a cell and analyzes the faint glow, called luminescence.
Using advanced imaging and machine learning, that glow is transformed into detailed maps showing defects, performance, and even projected lifespan.
Because the method never touches the cell, production speeds up, breakage drops, and manufacturers can catch problems earlier, saving time and money.
Years in development, the project is rapidly moving toward commercial deployment with support from a AU$400,000 TRaCE Lab to Market Fund grant and a AU$1 million investment from UNSW spinout BT Imaging.
The collaboration positions the technology to become a new global testing standard for both today's silicon solar cells and next-generation designs.
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Upfront costs 💰 As professor Ziv Hameiri noted, the goal is to deliver tools that are "more efficient and reliable," giving manufacturers deeper insights while driving down costs.
As solar demand soars worldwide, breakthroughs like this strengthen the renewable-energy mix and help reduce pollution, improving air quality and supporting healthier communities.
Homeowners exploring their own solar options can also benefit. Tools like TCD's Solar Explorer simplify the process with concierge-level support, helping users save up to $10,000 through competitive installer bids.
It also provides details on $0-down solar panel subscription options for those on a budget. Palmetto's LightReach leasing program, for example, allows customers to access all the benefits of solar and lock in reduced utility rates — up to 20% lower — without the upfront cost of solar panels.
EnergySage, another Solar Explorer partner, provides helpful options and insights as you navigate finding the right installer and pushing for competitive bids.
For those looking to take their savings to the next level, efficient HVAC tech can further cut energy costs, especially when paired with solar panels. An upgraded HVAC system can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 50%, and TCD's HVAC Explorer can help you get started.
With innovations advancing on all fronts, solar energy is becoming more accessible than ever for people, cities, and the planet.
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