3D Printable Solar Panels Coming Soon!

     We all know that 3D printers are evolving on a daily basis to print everything from small items to houses. Australian scientists have begun printing solar panels with 3D printers and although they are still in testing they claim that very soon we will see them in the mainstream marketplace.
     Why would we want to print something that we are already manufacturing though that work properly? Australian researches say that it will revolutionize what solar panels are able to be used for, from iPad covers to skyscrapers all over the world by printing solar panels not only is it quicker, but more cost effective and more customizable. With the ability to print a solar panel in any size it makes it so that taking the time to manufacture a panel this small isn't a waste of time.

     The best part about all of this is that the 3D printers can print these solar panels on to just about any surface from plastic to metal and they are so far equally effective. They have even come up with a solar panel that can be printed on the size of a coin without losing effectiveness.
     Before they release this to the public however they are researching ways to make solar panels even more effective at capturing sunlight.  Fiona Scholes, senior research scientist at Australia's national science agency CSIRO stated"We would like to improve the efficiency of solar panels - we need to develop solar inks to generate more energy from sunlight... We are confident we can push technology further in the years to come.

The potential for alternative uses is endless, she told Mashable. "They could potentially be used in a whole range of applications such as consumer product packaging, windows and window furnishings, temporary structures remote locations and developing communities."