AuREUS solar panels, developed from recycled food waste, offer a revolutionary way to generate energy without direct sunlight. With fossil fuels still accounting for over 81% of global energy production and predicted to run out by 2060, this innovation provides a timely and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources.
Designed by Carvey Ehren Maigue, an electrical engineering student from Mapúa University and winner of the James Dyson Sustainability Award, AuREUS panels address a critical limitation of conventional solar panels—their dependency on direct sunlight.
These panels harvest ultraviolet (UV) light, which can penetrate even dense cloud cover, ensuring consistent energy generation regardless of weather conditions.
The Technology Behind AuREUS
The core of the AuREUS system lies in its ability to repurpose fruit and vegetable waste. Luminescent particles extracted from organic materials absorb UV light and convert it into visible light. This visible light is then captured by a solar film and transformed into electricity.
As Maigue explains, “It’s similar to how we breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. It takes in ultraviolet light and, after some time, sheds it as visible light.”
Maigue’s prototype is a 3-by-2-foot lime green-tinted panel installed in his apartment window. During his demonstration for the James Dyson Award, he showcased the panel’s ability to generate enough electricity to charge two phones per day. When scaled up, these panels could enable buildings to run entirely on self-generated electricity, paving the way for energy-independent structures.
Versatile and Accessible Renewable Energy
The flexibility of the AuREUS material opens up endless design possibilities. The resin can be applied to windows, walls, and even fabrics, making it suitable for a variety of applications.
Maigue envisions a future where renewable energy becomes more accessible and relatable to everyday users. “If we can democratize renewable energy, we can bring it both physically closer to people as well as psychologically closer,” he says.
In addition to promoting renewable energy, AuREUS panels support multiple environmental and social goals. By reusing agricultural waste, the system benefits local farming communities and reduces urban carbon footprints. These panels also help mitigate radiation exposure linked to health risks while promoting sustainable architecture.
Building a Sustainable Future
Maigue’s invention is more than just a technological breakthrough—it’s a forward-thinking solution addressing current and future challenges. “I want to create a better form of renewable energy that uses the world’s natural resources, is close to people’s lives, forging achievable paths, and rallying towards a sustainable and regenerative future,” he shares.
His next step is to install AuREUS panels in a small medical clinic on Jomalig Island in the Philippines, a location often left without power during storms. This first building application will demonstrate the panels’ ability to provide reliable energy in remote or disaster-prone areas.
The AuREUS innovation exemplifies the power of combining sustainability with innovative design. By turning waste into a renewable energy resource, Maigue’s creation has the potential to reshape the way we approach energy generation, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and create a more sustainable future.
Lear more about James Dyson Award Here.
How can we support this kind of innovation! This is amazing.
I agree! Woul be great for vehicles and phone screens.