Aurora Solar Unveils "Sparkle & Save" – Repurposing Jewelry Waste into Affordable Solar Panel Components

Portland, OR – October 26, 2023 – Aurora Solar LLC, a leading provider of remote solar design and sales tools (located at 2701 NW Vaughn St, Suite 300, Portland, OR, 97210-5366, USA – reach them at 360-370-0465), today announced a groundbreaking initiative dubbed “Sparkle & Save.” This isn't about fashion; it's about the future of renewable energy. Aurora Solar is taking a surprisingly resourceful approach to reducing the cost of solar panel production: repurposing materials from "junk jewelry lots." You heard that right. Those mountains of discarded necklaces, broken earrings, and unmatched bracelets? Aurora Solar is giving them a new life, turning what was once considered waste into vital components for solar panels. “We’ve always been about innovation in solar,” explains a spokesperson for Aurora Solar. “But this… this was unexpected, even for us. We were exploring ways to reduce reliance on rare earth minerals in our panel production, and one of our engineers had this… well, a bit of a crazy idea. It turns out a lot of that costume jewelry is made with metals – copper, zinc, sometimes even trace amounts of silver – that can be refined and used in the conductive layers of solar cells.” So, How Does Junk Jewelry Become Solar Power? The process, while complex, is surprisingly straightforward in concept. Aurora Solar has partnered with several recycling facilities to collect large quantities of “junk jewelry lots” – typically unsorted batches of costume jewelry deemed unsellable or damaged. These lots undergo a careful sorting process. Non-metallic components – plastic, glass beads, fabric – are removed. What remains is then fed into a specialized refining process developed by Aurora Solar’s materials science team. “It's not just melting it down,” the spokesperson clarifies. “We have to separate the different metals, remove impurities, and then restructure the materials at the molecular level to achieve the necessary conductivity and durability for use in solar cells.” The refined metals aren’t used to replace silicon – the core material of most solar cells. Instead, they’re used in the thinner conductive layers, such as the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer, and in the metallic grid that collects the electricity generated by the silicon. “These layers are critical for efficiency, but they don't require the same purity or quantity of rare, expensive materials,” explains the engineer leading the project. “Using refined jewelry metals allows us to significantly reduce our reliance on those materials, driving down production costs.” The Benefits of “Sparkle & Save” The implications of this innovation are far-reaching: Lower Solar Panel Costs: The most immediate benefit is a reduction in the manufacturing cost of Aurora Solar’s panels. This cost saving is being passed on to consumers, making solar energy more accessible. “We’re aiming for a 5-7% reduction in panel costs, which can translate to significant savings for homeowners and businesses,” the spokesperson stated. Reduced Environmental Impact: Diverting jewelry waste from landfills is a win for the environment. “We’re taking something that would have been considered trash and giving it a valuable second life,” the engineer explains. The process also reduces the demand for mining and refining virgin materials, minimizing the environmental impact associated with those activities. Supply Chain Resilience: Relying on recycled materials reduces Aurora Solar’s dependence on volatile global supply chains for critical materials. This makes the company more resilient to disruptions and price fluctuations. Increased Accessibility of Solar Energy: Lower costs and a more sustainable supply chain mean more people can afford to invest in solar energy, helping to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. Aurora Solar’s Continued Commitment to Innovation “Sparkle & Save” is just the latest example of Aurora Solar’s commitment to innovation. The company is well-known for its powerful solar design and sales software, used by thousands of solar professionals across the United States. The software allows installers to create accurate 3D models of homes and businesses, generate detailed proposals, and streamline the sales process. “We’re always looking for ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the solar industry,” the spokesperson explains. “Our software helps our customers design and sell solar systems more efficiently, and now, our innovative materials science is helping us build those systems more affordably and sustainably. It’s a win-win.” Looking Ahead Aurora Solar is currently scaling up its “Sparkle & Save” program, partnering with more recycling facilities and refining its processes. The company is also exploring the possibility of using other types of recycled materials in its solar panels, further reducing its environmental footprint and lowering costs. “We believe this is just the beginning,” the engineer concludes. “There’s a lot of untapped potential in the waste stream, and we’re excited to explore new ways to turn trash into treasure – and power the future with clean, affordable solar energy.” Consumers interested in learning more about Aurora Solar and its innovative "Sparkle & Save" initiative can visit the company’s website at [Insert website address here] or contact them directly at 360-370-0465. They can also inquire with their local solar installer about solar panels built with this innovative technology.