AuREUS solar panels transform food waste into clean electricity that works even on cloudy days.
Every year, mountains of perfectly good fruits and vegetables are thrown away. Meanwhile, families struggle with high power bills and farmers lose money. What if one invention could help fix both problems?
Meet AuREUS solar panels, a new technology that transforms discarded crops into clean electricity, even on cloudy days. Invented by Filipino engineer Carvey Ehren Maigue, AuREUS solar panels offer hope for greener energy, stronger farming communities, and lower costs for everyone.
At first glance, AuREUS solar panels look like colourful glass. But inside, they use a smart process inspired by the Northern and Southern lights.
The panels are filled with luminescent particles, the same kind found in fruits and vegetables. These particles capture high-energy UV rays and re-emit them as visible light. Tiny photovoltaic (PV) cells along the panel’s edges catch this light and turn it into electricity.
Unlike regular solar panels, AuREUS solar panels don’t need direct sunlight. They can be installed vertically on walls or windows and still produce power, even when it’s cloudy. That makes them perfect for city buildings, rural homes, and places where traditional panels fall short.
Food waste is bigger than many people realize. A 2021 study by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Tesco found that 1.2 billion tonnes of food are wasted every year. That’s about 15% of all food grown. It’s like throwing away one in every seven apples, carrots, or cabbages.
If that food were sold, it would be worth about $370 million. Worse, according to the No Hungry Children Organisation, it could feed 37 million people for an entire month.
Farms, where food is grown, lose the most. Between 22,000 and 37,000 tonnes of produce are wasted every year, often because of bad weather, changing food standards, or market demands farmers can’t control.
That’s enough wasted fruits and veggies to give 150,000 to 250,000 people five servings every day for a year.
This is where AuREUS solar panels shine. Instead of letting unsold or damaged produce rot, farmers can sell it for solar panel production. This creates a second life for their crops and a new income source.
At the same time, AuREUS solar panels capture UV light to create electricity. That means farmers, especially those in remote areas, can more affordably power their homes, equipment, and storage facilities.
By reducing food waste and energy costs, AuREUS technology strengthens rural economies and helps farmers better manage risks.
Traditional solar panels need direct sunlight and must face the sun at specific angles to work well. They’re less effective on cloudy days or when blocked by shade.
AuREUS solar panels are different: They capture UV light, which penetrates clouds, allowing energy production even in bad weather. They can be installed vertically, making them perfect for city skyscrapers or small farm sheds. They upcycle food waste, turning a major environmental problem into a clean energy solution.
Installing AuREUS solar panels could mean fewer blackouts, lower energy bills, and new uses for rooftops, windows, and even vehicles.
Since its first building tests in 2019, AuREUS technology has gained attention worldwide. Carvey Ehren Maigue won the first James Dyson Sustainability Award in 2020 for his work.
Today, researchers are testing new applications, such as covering the sides of buses and trains, powering outdoor signs and streetlights, and creating energy-harvesting windows for homes and offices.
So far, they have tested 78 different crops for luminescent material. Nine showed strong promise, especially red, orange, yellow, and green plants. Material extraction is about 80% efficient, but ongoing research aims to reach 100%.
This progress could make AuREUS solar panels even cheaper and more accessible for everyone.
Simple actions can drive big change, just like simple fruits and vegetables can power entire communities.
While supporting large innovations, small personal habits also make a difference. Reducing your own food waste helps the environment and your wallet.
Every piece of food saved means fewer resources wasted and a better future for everyone.
