Solar energy adoption is expanding rapidly. Yet, the equipment required remains fairly bulky, necessitating dedicated space like rooftops. Innovators worldwide are exploring ways to circumvent this issue by integrating solar panels into existing flat surfaces such as roads or Tesla's solar roof tiles.
The concept of transparent solar panels is particularly fascinating because it could transform every window—or even smartphone screens—into energy-producing surfaces. Imagine the possibilities!
Over the years, we've encountered numerous headlines and viral posts claiming breakthroughs in transparent solar technology. Often, these turn out to be overhyped or still in the early stages of development.
[Insert Image: Outdoor solar array]
So, where does the transparent solar industry stand today? Is it nearing commercialization, or is it merely a futuristic dream? Here's a summary:
- Transparent solar panels aren't yet available off-the-shelf, and residential applications may be years away.
- The technology has been proven to work but is approximately half as efficient as conventional solar panels.
- Research teams globally are working on transparent solar, achieving some level of commercial success.
- Most transparent solar panels currently in use are found in commercial or experimental settings.
- Except for an experiment in Korea, transparent solar panels aren't entirely transparent. There's a trade-off between transparency and power generation.
- Despite limited transparency, studies show that transparent panels work well for growing plants in greenhouses.
- An alternative approach involves embedding solar panels in window blinds.
Transparent solar panels might seem paradoxical to those familiar with traditional solar technology. Solar panels absorb solar energy and convert it into electricity. How can they do both while allowing light to pass through? The concept hinges on capturing the invisible UV spectrum while letting visible light through.
While such panels can't match the efficiency of opaque panels, researchers argue that their potential lies in sheer volume. With an estimated 5-7 billion square meters of windows in the U.S. alone, and 2.5 billion additional square meters of glass installed annually worldwide, the opportunity is vast.
[Embed Video: Why Transparent Solar Panels Are The Future]
However, the practical implementation is more complex. Teams worldwide are developing various methods to achieve this seemingly simple idea.
In the U.S., two key figures behind transparent solar technology are MIT professor Vladimir Bulović and Michigan State University professor Richard Lunt, who began his research at MIT before moving to MSU. Lunt demonstrated the technology at MSU in 2015. Together with Miles Barr, they co-founded Ubiquitous Energy to commercialize the technology. The company claims to produce the only truly transparent solar panels in the world, though they range from 40-80% transparency with up to 10% efficiency (compared to today's best solar panels, which are around 23% efficient).
Despite operating for a decade, Ubiquitous Energy has only two publicly listed installations: at its headquarters in Redwood City, California, and at the NSG Pilkington facility in Northwood, Ohio. The company mentioned that a few more installations, including one at a major landmark, will be announced soon.
[Insert Image: Transparent solar panels at UE HQ]
NSG Group, one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial glass and glazing products, partnered with Ubiquitous Energy in 2019 to integrate UE’s ClearView Power solar coating into architectural glass. This collaboration makes sense, as NSG’s Pilkington division produces glass for solar panels and solar control glass, which protects occupants from direct sunlight. Ubiquitous Energy recently announced a partnership with Antamex to add solar glazing to architectural windows.
On the other side of the globe, Australian firm ClearVue operates similarly to Ubiquitous Energy’s model, using a film sandwiched between glass layers to direct light to solar cells in the window frame. If you're in West Perth, you can visit ClearVue’s showroom to see their panels in action.
ClearVue’s windows have been installed in universities, luxury villas, and notably the Warwick Shopping Centre Atrium, where ClearVue claims they generate about 1.6 kWh per day from 25 square meters of window. After accounting for battery and DC-to-AC losses, this is quite impressive.
ClearVue acknowledges that a 22% efficient traditional solar panel, assuming optimal placement, generates six times more energy than its clear panels. ClearVue windows cost about $400 per square meter (in U.S. dollars), not including framing and installation. By contrast, non-solar low-E windows cost about $14 per square foot in the U.S. With 10.8 square feet in a square meter, covering a square meter in low-E would cost roughly $150, making it about $250 cheaper per square meter than ClearVue. ClearVue claims the extra cost can be recouped within a year, with panels lasting about 20 years.
Earlier this year, Professor Joondong Kim of Incheon National University announced a new breakthrough: a fully transparent solar panel. Kim's approach embeds titanium dioxide or nickel oxide directly into the glass to absorb solar energy. Both materials offer high optical transparency. Titanium dioxide is already used in solar cells and is environmentally friendly, while nickel oxide is abundant and cost-effective.
Since the panels are fully transparent, Kim envisions integrating them into phone screens. However, commercial applications are likely years away, and the cells only have 2.1% efficiency. While impressive for transparency, the impact on battery life for phones remains uncertain.
Swiss startup Insolight, creators of THEIA agrovoltaic panels, boasts the most efficient translucent photovoltaic module, reaching up to 30% efficiency thanks to its unique hexagonal lenses that concentrate sunlight. THEIA panels are designed for greenhouses and come in two modes: E-Mode, which generates power and transmits diffuse light, and MLT-Mode, which is 78% transparent but produces no electricity.
[Insert Image: How the THEIA panels work]
[Insert Image: THEIA panels in a greenhouse]
Research from North Carolina State University suggests that these panels provide enough sunlight for crops, especially in sunny regions.
An alternative approach comes from Ukrainian firm SolarGaps, which embeds solar panels in window blinds. The company claims one square meter of their blinds can generate up to 100 watts of power in an hour. Unlike the other firms mentioned, SolarGaps allows you to order their products directly. A 33×33-inch window blind costs about $700 (excluding inverter and shipping) and generates 74 watts per hour.
This diverse range of approaches highlights the ongoing innovation in transparent solar technology, each tackling challenges in their unique way.
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