# Sun-Powered Personal Electronics Scientists are Developing Commercially Printable Solar Panels By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-09-10 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/printable-solar-panels References: [mashable](http://mashable.com/2014/09/09/printable-solar-panels/) & [abc.net.au](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-09/printable-solar-panels-one-step-closer-to-market/5731628) Thanks to researchers from Sydney, printable solar panels could soon become commercially available. Scientists from Australia's national science agency (also known as CSIRO) in collaboration with Monash and Melbourne universities are developing a way to print power cells on plastic to be used in low-power applications. This work is being done as part of the Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium and means solar cells could be integrated into [personal electronic devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bluetti-handsfree-power-station) soon. A team of 50 chemists, engineers and physicists have been working on printable solar panels since 2007. Senior Research Scientist Dr. Fiona Scholes explained to ABC "iPad covers, laptop bags, skins of [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-recycled-standard) - not just for casing electronics but to collect some energy as well and power those electronics." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 67% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Printable Solar Panels:** The development of printable solar panels using plastic presents an opportunity for flexible and customizable solar panels. - **Integration of Solar Cells in Personal Electronic Devices:** The integration of solar cells into personal electronic devices such as iPad covers, laptop bags, and iPhone skins creates an opportunity for self-sufficient and environmentally-friendly devices. - **Low-power Application Solar Cells:** Low-power application solar cells can provide energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions for small electronic devices in remote or off-grid areas. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Electronics Manufacturing:** Electronics manufacturing companies can explore integrating printable solar panels into their products to offer self-sufficient and sustainable electronic devices. - **Renewable Energy:** Renewable energy companies can leverage the development of printable solar panels to expand their offerings and reach new markets in low-power applications. - **Consumer Goods:** Consumer goods companies can explore incorporating solar cells into their product designs, offering customers a sustainable and unique experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Flexible Solar Film Energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heliafilm.md) - [Origami-Inspired Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sego-innovations.md) - [Origami-Inspired Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levante-origami-solar-panel.md) - [Efficient Scalable Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perovskia-solar.md) - [Origami Travel Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-panel-origami-technology.md) - [Ultra-Thin Solar Panel Coatings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-panel-2.md) - [Solar-Powered Blankets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-blanket.md) - [Exceptionally Efficient Solar Cells](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/efficient-solar-cell.md) - [Colored Glass Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beautiful-solar-panels.md)