3D-printed solar cell is colour-tuneable
A new study published in the journal EES Sol. (2026), highlights a semi-transparent, colour-tuneable perovskite solar cell designed to work in places traditional panels can’t, like windows and flexible surfaces.
Using a 3D-printed pillar structure, the researchers from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, were able to fine-tune how much light passes through and what colour the cell appears, without changing the solar material itself.
The result, they say, is a system that balances energy output with durability, while giving designers far more control over how the technology looks and functions.
At the heart of the design is a pattern of microscopic polymeric pillars created using 3D printing. These tiny structures act like carefully shaped openings that regulate light transmission, eliminating the need to alter the solar material itself. Because the method avoids high temperatures and toxic solvents, it is well suited for flexible surfaces and more environmentally friendly manufacturing.
“Our goal was to rethink how transparency is achieved in solar cells for applications in Building Integrated Photovoltaics,” said Shlomo Magdassi from the research team. “By using 3D-printed polymeric structures, we can precisely control how light moves through the device in a way that is scalable and practical for real-world use.”
The article 'Semitransparent colour tunable perovskite solar cells with 3D pillar structure' explains that the colour tuning is achieved by adjusting the thickness of a transparent electrode layer, the device reflects selected wavelengths of light, giving the solar panel different colours while continuing to produce electricity.
“What is particularly exciting is that we can customise both the device’s appearance and its level of transparency,” added researcher Lioz Etgar. “That makes this technology particularly relevant for solar windows and for adding solar functionality to existing buildings.”
In laboratory tests, the flexible solar cells reached power conversion efficiencies of up to 9.2 percent, with about 35 percent average visible transparency. They also maintained stable performance after repeated bending and during extended operation, key benchmarks for use in real architectural environments.
Looking ahead, the team plans to focus on improving long-term durability through protective encapsulation and barrier layers, with the goal of moving the technology closer to commercial use.
Pictured above: Schematic presentation of the main steps involved in the fabrication of a colourful, semi-transparent, flexible perovskite solar cell
