Windows Of Buildings Can Become Transparent Solar-Power Generators Via Technology

---

---

In our quest for alternative means of sustainable and renewable natural energy, science and technology blessed us with solar technology and Solar Panels. The solar energy absorbed from the sun has been easily converted to consumable electricity since invention.

But if works by scientists at the University of Tokyo is anything to go by, then we might be on the verge of pushing the boundaries of harnessing solar energy.

According to studies and research pioneered by scientists at the University of Tokyo, soon our windows will become solar panels which would ensure constant solar energy supply convertible to electricity.

---

Research

At the University of Tokyo, scientists have been able to develop solar cells capable of transparency. These solar cells can cover windows without causing obstruction of view.

The researchers were led to “two existing technologies” in their quest to develop efficient, transparent solar panels. The result of their study produced a transparent solar cell capable of greater efficiency unlike previously attempted.

---

_Source

The knowledge that silicon solar panels are dark, due to the fact that the silicon absorbs light across a wide spectrum of wavelengths, while allowing very little to pass through, confirmed the point that they are efficient generators of energy, but opaque materials - despite the fact that glass is used to coat the thin silicon layer.

---

As a result of this, the challenge then revolved around how to create a material capable of absorbing enough light to generate power, while being able to admit enough light to remain transparent. However, the scientists at the University of Tokyo were able to make progress in their work of developing solar cells that can cover windows without obstruction of view.

The conventional black solar panels used on rooftops functions using silicon to absorb light sunlight across a spectrum of wavelengths and then converting its energy to electricity. But the new cell technology uses perovskite, which is an organic-inorganic hybrid material, in order to generate electricity.

---

_Source

---

Unlike the conventional silicon, the perovskite material absorbs blue light, while the nanocubes of metallic silver helps to capture red light, and therefore lets the green light which is visually important to pass through.

Due to the efficacy of light capture via the perovskite layer, its layer can be made very thin thereby improving transparency. The cell can then be used to coat windows, aiding solar insolation.

---

---

Procedure: Merging of two known technologies

Previous scientific studies have led to the understanding that green light would be a factor that aids visibility. Hence, the scientists focused on creating a cell capable of absorbing red and blue light, while allowing greenlight to pass through. The perovskite material then became the priority in creating the transparent cells.

Although perovskite had been previously used in earlier attempts at harnessing solar energy, but the cells at the time were not able to create sufficient power. In a revised technological approach the scientists at the University of Tokyo decided to focus on silver nanotubes for their latest study.

The silver nanotubes were also adopted earlier to increase the efficiency of light-capture in solar cells, but the new technique has proven to have greater efficiency and to be much stable.

---

_Source

The focus of the recent study was to use silver to eliminate red wavelengths which perovskite could not absorb. These red wavelengths were effectively captured by the researchers by combining the effects of the silver nanotubes and the cell’s other electrode layer which is also made of silver.

The technique resulted in a plasmic antenna effect, increasing the efficiency and absorption ability of the cell’s light.

---

In Conclusion

With a global agenda geared towards reduction of carbon emissions and a general aim to spur economic growth through the creation of reliable and affordable clean energy solutions, the importance of the solar-powered window technology cannot be over-emphasized.

The solar-powered windows would definitely turn out to be an intelligent energy storage, especially in various parts of the world - especially in developing and third-world nations - experiencing unstable power grids and even in remote territories.

The technology would inspire us to refocus our resources towards a clean energy future. If we are to benefit from a cost effective and environmental friendly renewable energy source, other than the 'now-maligned' fossil fuel energy, then solar panels of modified and superb efficiency, would be a good alternative.

Such a tech at home or office would mean the availability of uninterrupted, renewable and natural energy supply, which could be used for various purposes, ranging from charging of a smartphone devices to lighting and illumination of the our immediate surroundings.

---

Reference: rf1, rf2, rf3

Scientific Report: Report

Further Reading: 1, 2, 3, 4

---

---

Thank you for your time and for reading my post.

If you found this post interesting, then kindly UPVOTE, RESTEEM and FOLLOW @rickie, for more quality posts.

---

---

You Can Check Out My Other Posts Below:

• Some Of The Strangest and Unusual Phobias Existing Today
• Studies Show That Anaesthetics Do More Than Just Induce Sleep
• Proper Exercise Can Reverse Damage To An Aging Heart
• Smelling Your Partner's Shirt Can Help Reduce Stress Levels
• The Scariest Contraceptives and Condoms Ever Used
• Scientists Can Now Tell If A Child Would Be Left or Right Handed From The Womb

---

---

---

@rickie