15/02/2025
No sunlight? It's no problem for these solar panels made from food waste.
Solar energy has long faced the challenge of efficiency on cloudy days, but Carvey Ehren Maigue, an electrical engineering student, has developed an innovative solution.
His creation, AuReus, is a solar panel that harnesses ultraviolet (UV) light, which can pass through clouds, to generate electricity. Unlike traditional solar panels, which rely on direct sunlight and operate only 15-22% of the time, AuReus panels can function up to 50% of the time.
This breakthrough earned Maigue the first-ever Global Sustainability Award from the James Dyson Foundation, recognizing his contribution to renewable energy technology.
What makes AuReus even more remarkable is its sustainable production process. The panels are crafted using bioluminescent particles extracted from fruits and vegetables, which absorb UV light and convert it into visible light to generate electricity.
These panels can be applied to building windows and facades, turning entire structures into vertical solar farms that capture and redirect UV rays. Additionally, the project supports local farmers by repurposing rotting crops—affected by climate change—into a valuable energy source.
Learn more: https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/2020/project/aureus-aurora-renewable-energy-uv-sequestration
