Torben Daeneke stated, “Our new development has a big range of advantages. The hydrogen can then be used to produce clean energy. The titanium oxide helps the paint use solar energy to break down the absorbed moisture into hydrogen and oxygen particles. This solar paint also contains titanium oxide, a substance already present in conventional paint. Absorbing moisture from the air, it works similarly to silica gel, which you’ve undoubtedly seen packaged with consumer products in order to keep them dry. This is how the paint actually works: it contains a newly developed substance, synthetic molybdenum-sulphide. Put simply, the paint works by absorbing moisture from the air and using solar energy to break the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Image source: RMITĪ team of researchers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have developed solar paint that generates energy from water vapor. Professors from the research team at RMIT University who have developed the hydrogen-extracting solar paint. Here we explore what they are and what they might mean for the future of solar energy. There are three separate innovations that are classified as solar paints. Only recently have the potential for real-world applications emerged. The idea of using a paint-like substance to generate electricity has been discussed within the scientific community for many years. So, what is solar paint? The most important thing to know is that it isn’t a single product currently there are three different technologies that are referred to as 'solar paint'. Though we're pretty far off from actually implementing this technology, it's still exciting to think about. Now imagine a world where we could simply paint our roofs and walls with a type of paint that can generate electricity. However, the hassle and expense of rooftop panel installations often deter people from switching to solar energy. Solar panels are a well-proven technology that save homeowners a ton of money. So far, the lifeblood of the solar industry has been traditional photovoltaic solar panels. When that kind of serious cash starts flooding an industry, you know new innovation isn't far behind.Īnd what sounds more innovative than ‘solar paint’? A paint that can generate electricity, but still works as normal paint? The ability to turn not only a roof, but an entire building into a solar-generating surface? If that doesn't scream innovation, then I don't know what does.

In 2016, the US solar industry contributed more than $150 billion in economic activity.

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