Solar Sunshot Program at Risk? Faulty Materials Cast a Shadow

Imagine wanting to build a super-efficient solar panel, but then finding out the secret sauce you used actually makes it worse! That's kind of what's happening with the latest solar technology. Researchers in Australia are finding that tiny differences in materials can seriously hurt a panel's performance.

This is a big deal because the Australian government is launching a giant program called "Solar Sunshot" to make solar power even cheaper and more efficient. But if these material mix-ups aren't addressed, the whole program could be in trouble.

Here's the situation:

• New, super-efficient solar panels are being developed, but...

• Tiny changes in materials can make them lose a lot of power.

• This is because these new panels are so sensitive.

• Australia needs a way to test these materials before they're used in big projects.

What can be done?

• Re