Mega-band Coldplay takes solar on tour, driving portable clean energy

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Forbes or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Coldplay is using printed solar panels from Kardinia Energy to power its global tour, reducing reliance on fossil fuels during live performances
• 500 m² of flexible, recyclable panels generate up to 100 kWh per day, supporting stage operations and offsetting around 1,200 kg of CO₂ per show
• The solar system integrates with batteries, kinetic dance floors, and pedal-powered bikes to minimize overall emissions

🔭 The context: Touring events are typically energy-intensive and rely on diesel generators
• Kardinia’s panels, weighing just 300g/m², are significantly lighter than traditional silicon panels and easier to transport
• The technology, developed over decades, is produced using roll-to-roll printing on repurposed label-making equipment

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Portable, low-cost solar options could make renewables more accessible in settings where weight, infrastructure, or cost are barriers
• Applications range from temporary venues to rooftops with structural limits and emergency power in disaster zones
• Reusable components and modular upgrades every 5–7 years aim to reduce waste and extend system life

⏭️ What's next: Broader adoption of printed solar is being explored for industrial use, especially in regions where traditional panels are impractical
• As interest grows in off-grid, flexible energy systems, printed solar could offer a lower-impact deployment model
• The rollout may shape conversations around mobile energy, event sustainability, and renewable access in underserved areas

💬 One quote: “If it can work on a global tour with the logistical and environmental challenges that come with it, it can work anywhere,” said Kardinia CEO Anthony Letmon

📈 One stat: Printed solar panels cost around 10 times less than conventional ones and reach payback in 12–18 months

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