#OI2Dublin – SolarPrint and Intel demo energy harvesting device at innovation event

20 May 2013

Greg Jackson, an electrical engineer at SolarPrint, holds the energy harvesting CO2 and temperature sensor

Dublin solar cell technology company SolarPrint is showcasing a new light-energy harvesting multi-sensing device for CO2 and temperature control within buildings at the Open Innovation 2.0 conference in Dublin today. The Dublin start-up has teamed up with Intel labs Europe to create the device.

The Open Innovation 2.0 conference is taking place at Dublin Castle over the next two days. In tandem, a digital showcase is running at the Mansion House and is open to the public.

Founded in 2008, SolarPrint is developing dye sensitised solar cells (DSSC), a printable photovoltaic technology that converts light from any source into energy.

The company’s target is to power wireless devices for building energy management.

SolarPrint is involved in a research collaboration with Intel’s Energy and Sustainability Lab to create the light energy harvesting CO2 and temperature-sensing device. The goal of the project is to show how self-powered wireless sensors can be integrated into buildings in order to manage resources more efficiently.

As part of its wider Sustainable Connected Cities initiative, Intel integrated SolarPrint’s light energy harvesters to develop a working prototype.

Roy Horgan from SolarPrint said the multi-sensor solution has the potential to be used in schools and public buildings to monitor and control CO2 and temperature levels in such buildings.

In December, SolarPrint raised €1m in funding to develop its technology. The investment came from Bank of Ireland Seed Capital, Kernel Capital and a group of private investors.

Carmel Doyle was a long-time reporter with Silicon Republic

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