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According to scientists, the new transparent solar panels will have the potential to transform cities from major energy consumers into energy providers in an instant, and could usher in a new era of clean energy revolution.
At a time when the world is fighting for a future of low carbon to contain the effects of climate change, solar energy must certainly be one of our strongest allies. Scientists at Michigan State University are trying to prove just how viable transparent solar panel technologies are. With the use of a transparent solar panel, it would be possible to generate electricity from the windows of offices, houses, car sunroofs and even smartphones.
How do transparent solar panels work?
Transparent solar panels are a cutting-edge technology that captures and uses light energy through windows or any glass surface, regardless of angle. It has the potential to be a game changer in expanding the reach of solar energy.
In terms of engineering, researchers have created various means of transparent solar technology. However, most of them function more like transparent solar concentrators, which means they are made to absorb certain wavelengths of ultraviolet and infrared light that are not visible to the naked eye and transform them into energy capable of powering electronic devices.
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This technology is also called photovoltaic glass and is manufactured to provide a varying level of transparency. In 2014, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) developed the first fully transparent solar concentrator, which could turn almost any sheet of glass or window into a photovoltaic cell. In 2020, scientists in the United States and Europe made solar glass 100% transparent, bringing us one step closer to the goal of a sustainable future that is off the grid of the fossil fuel industry.
What are the advantages?
Transparent solar panels are incredibly important as, in modern society, glass is practically everywhere. From your phone screen to skyscrapers, there are an estimated 5 to 7 billion square feet of glass in the United States. Imagine the amount of electricity that could be generated if we could harness that energy.
Taking this into account, it should be borne in mind that conventional solar panels require a large installation area, in addition to a considerable initial cost. Due to these limitations, it is difficult to implement them in metropolitan locations. Transparent solar panels can be deployed in these areas, paving the way for zero-energy buildings and helping cities meet their climate targets and goals.
The future of high-tech windows
This is not just an idea on paper, as transparent solar technologies are already showing up all over the world. For example, the Copenhagen International School project uses 12.000 colorful but transparent solar panels throughout the building, producing 200 MWh of energy per year, which is more than half of the energy consumed by the building.
In another example that took place last year, the College of Biomedical and Physical Sciences building on the Michigan State University campus was updated with the installation of 100-square-foot clear glass solar panels that were placed over the entrance to the building. They will generate enough electricity to power your foyer lighting. However, there are some obstacles in the way.
Before technology can be scaled up, scientists need to increase its efficiency, as there is a balance between efficiency and transparency. The more transparent the panel, the less efficient it is, so transparent panels are not expected to supersede or replace the standard solar panels we are used to. Either way, technology can help humanity get to a truly sustainable and greener future faster.
