The Invisible Footprint

Scientists have developed a photovoltaic “solar paint” that turns almost any surface into a functional electricity generator.

Researchers at the University of New South Wales in collaboration with BASF created a quantum-dot-based coating using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles suspended in acrylic paint.

When applied in a 200-micrometer-thick layer, the material can generate approximately 110 watts per square meter under direct sunlight, achieving up to 17.2% energy conversion efficiency, with improved performance under diffused light conditions.

Key technical features include:

Works on concrete, metal, glass, wood, and plastics
Weather durability exceeding 15 years
Can be applied with standard rollers or spray systems
Captures a broader light spectrum than traditional silicon panels

At scale, the implications are massive. In Australia alone, around 800 million m² of building surfaces could theoretically generate up to 88 gigawatts of electricity, comparable to the country’s entire current power generation capacity.

Images are generated by AI and for demonstration purposes only.

Source: University of New South Wales; BASF – Advanced Energy Materials (2025)

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