Transparent organic solar cells point to a new trend: in the near future, they could be mounted on windows, office buildings and even airplanes. The versatility of alternative energy sources offers an attractive option for designers and interior architects.
Organic solar cells – completely transparent!
Organic solar cells that seem completely transparent are the focus of research at ICFO, the Institute of Photonic Sciences, which offers an innovative solution for urban use. Thanks to increased efficiency, solar cells can convert a greater percentage of incident solar radiation into energy. Entire buildings can be equipped efficiently with this new solar-energy system. It can also be integrated where conventional silicon solar panels cannot be installed, such as windows or glass walls. The efficiency of transparent solar modules is lower than that of thin-film silicon photovoltaic cells. Given the large windows of tall buildings in big cities, this alternative energy source is still valuable. The advantage of the new technology is increased even more by low production costs.
Transparent organic solar cells offer an attractive alternative for architects
Transparent solar cells are not only a source of energy. By converting solar radiation into electrical energy while filtering heat, they can help cool interiors and be especially useful in the summer months. They can be mounted not only on buildings; in the future, transparent photovoltaic surfaces may also be used in cameras, mobile phones and tablets as an energy source. Researchers are currently testing many new possibilities for organic solar cells, and not without reason. As an alternative energy source, they can reduce energy costs while respecting the environment. Solar panels are increasingly being installed in private homes.
Solar radiation is converted into energy
Low production costs are a major advantage of solar modules
Transparent solar cells have high application potential
Transparent solar panels for windows
Lincoln Matheson
Anna Lohan
miranda_shida
Peter Dark
