MIT spinoff dyes glass to make solar 'windows'

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology detailed a technique that can boost solar cell output and turn colored windows into solar panels.

Published in Science magazine on Friday, the researchers have developed a way to use dyes painted on glass to redirect light.

By stacking multiple concentrators, you can optimize plates for different wavelengths. Solar cells will be placed along the edges of the plates, reducing the amount of solar cell material needed, and thus the cost of a panel.

(Credit: MIT)

By pushing light to the edges and filtering it, they can concentrate the light and squeeze more electricity from photovoltaic solar cells.

The cells are placed on the edges of the glass, rather than across the flat surface of glass, which would allow panel manufacturers to use less costly solar cell material.

It's a technique that was pursued in the 1970s but abandoned because not enough redirected light made it to the cells on plate edges.

By borrowing laser technology, the MIT researchers said they adequately direct and concentrate light to the point where they can boost solar cell output ten-fold.

The technology, which uses off-the-shelf dyes used in car paints, promises to be cheaper than traditional solar concentrators because it eliminates the need for mirrors, lenses, and trackers, said Marc Baldo, an MIT professor of electrical engineering who led the work.

Participants in the research are starting a company, Covalent Solar, to commercialize and improve the technology. MIT said that they expect to have a product available in about three years.

[tech_crazy]

If this pans out, it would be a really big WOW! Low-cost, low -installation, lesser silicon usage, no thermal issues ... the list goes on. I hope this becomes a serious contender.

[hoopla]

I heard about this on the radio last night (BBC Worldwide) and came here looking for more information. I'd like to hear what some experts say about what this could really mean. Could this be a massive leap forward that will make solar more cost efficient than fossil fuel methods, or are there still major issues to work out???

[elwap0]

bingo

[nachurboy]

The biggest drawback I see with this technology is installation into existing buildings. You'd have to tear out your the old windows and walls to run cabling. On top of that, they'd have to make sure the electronics are in the window's frames with access for maintenance, which means bigger frames or limited window designs. Sounds less practical for existing buildings, and more geared towards new construction.

[gabeheim]

Perhaps there may be drawbacks, but there would also be incentives for designers to create novel solutions for placing the silicon without taking too much space. Laying cable is a pain, but it's not the first time a new technology has required that (electricity, phone, networks). I think if the ROI is there, then offices will go with that. I could see the landlords offering their tenants the option to buy into a solar installation at their office, perhaps pay a surcharge on top of their rent to finance the investment into solar. <br /><br />By reducing the amount of silicon required, they have made a significant step towards enabling affordable wide scale solar deployments. Already, fedex, and some other large corps have been able to get an ROI on current solar tech. This will open the doors for many more companies. Also, there will be many more innovations in solar to come. Remember, the current grid wasn't invented in a day, and the oil industry wasn't either. It took over a hundred years of investment and improvements in technology to get to where we are now. The reason solar, wind, and alternative fuels are behind is because no one seriously invested during the twentieth century (except for a few countries)

[technewsjunkie]

I love those IT folks!<br />This is wonderful!

[technewsjunkie]

I meant MIT folks.

[torturran]

@nachurboy<br /><br />I believe they are pursuing this as an alternative to traditional solar panels, not necessarily as a solar panel window.

[arlkay]

Courious about Professor Baldo's comment that the dyes are the same as used in car paint in that paints contain pigments and dyes do not (or, did not when I last looked umpteen years ago)

[AryeDirect]

Have been following the progress of solar energy since the mid-seventies. It is wonderful to see the promise being fulfilled of low cost, high efficiency, renewable energy. <br /><br />I cheer all of you making such spectacular progress. Our home planet is taking a sigh of relief with each step accomplished.<br /><br />- Arye Michael Bender -

[Cobnot]

This is great to hear that companies are doing this kind of research. However I think they may hit some road block from a company called Octillion Corp. Who currently has 10 issued US patents, 8 pending US patents, 8 issued foreign counterpart patents and 21 pending foreign counterpart patents using silicon nanoparticles. They are currently working on a process that involves integrating films of silicon nanoparticles on glass surfaces in order to convert solar energy coming through home and office windows into electricity. I am not sure but it sounds pretty similar? This is the kind of technology we should have been investing in years ago. I hope to see some good stuff come from this in the near future. Hopefully this will evolve enough to be considered a viable source of energy.

[Joe Real]

Perhaps one of the best application for this technology is in the car windshield for the upcoming electric vehicles and their hybrids. It can help reduce the heat of the car's interiors and at the same time help recharge the batteries, and cheaper too. You can now have a wider windshield, like in the upcoming model of Prius and other other cars. You can have big windshields that actually act as solar collectors with very cheap solar cells on their edges, helping recapture some energy while at the same time reduce the heat load on the car's interiors.

[Joe Real]

Perhaps one of the best application for this technology is in the car windshield for the upcoming electric vehicles and their hybrids. It can help reduce the heat of the car's interiors and at the same time help recharge the batteries, and cheaper too. You can now have a wider windshield, like in the upcoming model of Prius and other other cars. You can have big windshields that actually act as solar collectors with very cheap solar cells on their edges, helping recapture some energy while at the same time reduce the heat load on the car's interiors.

[clickitysplit]

Fascinating stuff. Makes me wonder what other materials can be used with similar efficiency. Glass panes are great for windows, solar cell overlays, but glass is kinda heavy and fragile. <br /><br />My understanding is the performance of traditional solar cells degrade over time, remaining efficient just long enough to pay for themselves, then you have to pony up for replacements. I would think a big part of this new equation, especially for electric window applications, would be cells that last a very long time. Except for the ones the neighbor kid breaks, how often would they have to be replaced?

[MjrTomTX]

Another story on this technology that I read earlier today suggested that the "windows" would last approximately 25 years.

[boyali786]

i am very thak full to you that you give me permission to join this community!