A clear view to the future: Solar windows harness power
Scientists have made remarkable progress in creating windows that can also serve as sources of electrical energy. This has been achieved through the development of perovskite cells, which are capable of transmitting more than 20% of visible light.
5:11 PM EST, November 15, 2024
Behind this innovative technology is a team of experts from the ARC Center of Excellence in Exciton Science, led by Professor Jacek Jasieniak from the Department of Materials Engineering at Monash University in Australia.
How do windows generate electricity?
According to the portal Interesting Engineering, this new solution significantly increases the amount of visible light that passes through the cells, enhancing their potential applications.
Earlier work by this team led to the creation of semi-transparent perovskite cells, which achieved a solar energy to electricity conversion efficiency of 17% and transmitted 10% of visible light. Modern technology now allows transmitting twice as much light with nearly the same efficiency of 15.5%.
Will this new invention revolutionize the market?
Professor Jasieniak pointed out that this is an important step toward the realization of highly efficient and stable perovskite devices, which could be used as solar windows and offer a new perspective in the market.
Australian research could lead to the future production of cells combining the functions of solar panels and window panes. Moreover, Professor Jasieniak's group has developed cells with an efficiency of only 4.1%, but they are characterized by a light transmittance level of 52.4%. This suggests that perovskite devices are becoming increasingly reminiscent of transparent panes.
