Unfolding the Future of Renewable Energy at Smart Energy 2023, Sydney

Kia Ora All, Wayne Hunt here and back from the ‘Smart Energy Conference and Exhibition 2023’ in the beautiful city of Sydney, Australia.

I’ve been immersing myself in the world of renewable energy innovations, and I’m keen to share my experiences, snaps and stories from the fascinating event.

A Breakthrough in Folding Panels

One of the most thrilling discoveries from the exhibition was the significant strides made in the world of Folding Panels. If you’ve been following along, you’ll know we’ve had a bit of a tussle over the years trying to find a folding panel that meets our standards for quality and electrical efficiency. Well, I’m excited to say that we’ve spotted several promising options at the show and we’re currently in talks with the manufacturers.

In the past, the electrical efficiency of these panels hovered around 13-15%, meaning only about 15% of the light hitting the panel was actually converted into energy. But the new versions we’ve come across at the show? They’re boasting efficiencies over 20% – quite a leap! This bump in efficiency translates into a bigger wattage for the same size of frame, all due to increased capacity, and bringing their efficiency into line with our traditional mounted panels.

Traditionally, folding panels were less efficient than their framed counterparts, with folding ones trailing behind, both in terms of their build quality and electrical efficiency. But what we’re seeing now, is that folding panels are boasting higher efficiencies than some of our framed panels. That’s something we’ve never come across before!

And let’s talk about the design – the bulky aluminium folding frames seem to be a thing of the past! The whole panel now is no thicker than a laptop screen, making it incredibly sleek and modern.

The innovation doesn’t stop there. Folded panels used to peak at about 100-200 watts. At the show, we’ve seen panels clocking in at 200, 300, and even 400 watts, all while maintaining a slim profile of about 4-5mm. The best part? They fold into their carry bag, taking up hardly any space!

My second day at the show was just as exciting as the first. Looking at high efficiency solar panels, and also “Power Stations” complete power systems with built in lithium battery, inverter (230 V AC) as well as DC power outlet and USB charging in one compact unit. They also have input for solar charging. Ideal for boaties, canvas campers or small motorhomes looking for some portability!

In short, the Smart Energy 2023 has been a treasure trove of innovations. The progress in renewable energy technology is truly remarkable, and I’m buzzing with excitement at the potential these advancements hold for our future.

Remember, we’re not just talking about cutting-edge tech here. We’re talking about making sustainable energy more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly for everyone. And that’s something we can all get behind.

Thanks for coming along on this journey with me, and stay tuned for more updates as we explore the renewable energy developments.

Cheers,

Wayne Hunt