Australian printed solar tech used at Coldplay’s world tour among projects to secure NSW funding

A Newcastle headquartered company pioneering printed solar panels that have been used for Coldplay’s world tour is among 13 projects to secure a share of more than $26 million in New South Wales government funding.

The state Labor government on Tuesday says the funds will be used “to spearhead the next wave of emissions reduction technologies” that are capable of delivering both environmental and economic benefits to the state.

The new Clean Technology Innovation grants will support 13 projects across the state as they grow from research to commercial businesses.

Among the 13 projects to secure funding is the world’s first commercial manufacturing facility for ‘Printed Solar’, an organic-based solar technology developed by Newcastle based Kardinia Energy.

Unlike traditional solar panels that use silicon as the photoactive layer, Kardinia Energy’s Printed Solar technology utilises carbon-based semi-conducting polymers that are then printed on recyclable PET plastic – materials that are highly abundant and which do not require energy intensive manufacturing processes.

And Printed Solar is not just a concept: It has been literally rolled out during Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ world tour.

The solar panels are placed in seats behind the stage and elsewhere in venues around the world where Coldplay is touring, collecting power in battery packs that are then used to power various aspects of each concert.

As of writing, Printed Solar has so far been used at 21 venues across 19 countries during the Music of the Spheres world tour, most recently at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium.

“We are thrilled to support Coldplay’s sustainability efforts by curating a solar energy solution specifically for their global tour,” said Anthony Letmon, CEO of Kardinia Energy, speaking late last year at the launch of its partnership with Coldplay.

“Our ability to manufacture lightweight, mobile and flexible solar energy that is fully sustainable and does not leave a heavy footprint in terms of the critical minerals required, resonated with the band and their sustainability objectives.”

Kardinia Energy secured $2,255,000 from the NSW Clean Technology Innovation grants to set up what is expected to be the world’s first commercial manufacturing facility for Printed Solar.

Another project to secure a NSW government grant was one that will test a cleaner method of extracting lithium for batteries.

Others included an underwater robotic hull cleaner that helps reduce ship emissions and fuel consumption, a drag-reducing adhesive film for aircraft, and a project turning farm waste into green hydrogen and ammonia using a new on-farm technology.

Grants ranged from $400,000 to $5 million per project, and the projects have also cumulatively attracted a further $46.9 million in private investment.

“The Minns Labor Government is investing in the new technologies, jobs and industries that will drive our state’s transition to a low-carbon economy, create new jobs as we address the critical challenges climate change presents,” said Penny Sharpe, NSW minister for climate change and energy.

“This investment will see these projects transition into practical, real-world solutions for emissions reduction that also boost innovators, investment and new jobs.”

A list of all the projects to secure funding can be found here.