Will windows work as solar panels?
The next solar panel could be a window.
Konarka Technologies and Air Products have received a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop a transparent, flexible solar panel that could be placed on a piece of glass or integrated into a window.
Konarka specializes in organic photovoltaics. These are complex molecules that can harvest portions of the infrared and visible light spectrum and turn the energy into sunlight. Organic photovoltaic panels don't last as long as silicon panels and 't aren't as efficient as silicon or other types of panels. But they can be transparent and flexible, allowing them to be placed unobtrusively on a lot of surfaces. Konarka also has an unobtrusive wire grid.
In the alliance, Konarka will work on the organic photovoltaics, while Air Products will try to tweak its conductive polymers (i.e. plastic that can conduct electricity) for this application.
If it works, it could be huge. But that's a big if. Konarka, which derived out of work conducted by Nobel prize winner Alan Heeger, has been around for years and raised $105 million in private investment funds. Unfortunately, it has also yet to have a breakthrough commercial application. Revenue mostly comes from grants and engineering services. The company recently got a new CEO.
Among other projects, it is also working on developing a polymer solar cell for recharging cell phones and other consumer electronics products. The idea is to integrate the solar cell. In February, Konarka investors said they hoped they would be able to announce an alliance for consumer electronics later this year.
"These are complex molecules that can harvest portions of the infrared and visible light spectrum and turn the energy into sunlight"
" Organic photovoltaic panels don't last as long as silicon panels and can't aren't as efficient as silicon or other types of panels. But they can be transparent and flexible, allowing them to be placed unobtrusively on a lot of surfaces. "
Is it me, or has editing become a lost art in the Internet age? Do we really need to publish articles so quickly that they can't be properly vetted for basic grammatical and spelling errors?
of visual range). Almost ALL windows have LOW-E glazings
causing this principle to be invalid.
The flex solar skins already are on the market, however are on
the high cost end. As well they generate less than the thicker
stiff panels.
A secondary issue, not mentioned in the article, is who would
want their windows blacked out by this? Windows are for fresh
air and to allow natural light in.
need powered ventilation systems. Anyway they also have that
greenish reflective surface, if the solar powered window let some
light through then there wouldn't be a net loss of natural light. Just
musing late in the afternoon.
- by solarilluminations September 17, 2009 12:14 PM PDT
- Solar Illuminations (a ?green? corporation who has its headquarters in Florida) are likely to be offering solar powered glass panels in 2010. Basically they will look no different than a regular piece of glass and can be tinted various shades too. From inside and outside the building it looks like regular glass. However, the great feature is that the glass is actually a solar panel and will therefore create electricity. Imagine a tall building, fitted with hundreds of solar glass panels. Then, imagine one, two or three entire sides of the building using this solar glass. There is a huge potential to capture a large amounts of energy, hundreds of kilowatts! That energy can be used to supply power within the building, or put back into the grid and sold to the electric company, or a combination of the two. Amazing? Well, that is what Solar Illuminations is all about. They are taking solar energy one step further! Not only will this new, patented technology be available for new construction but also for retro-fitting both commercial and residential properties.
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