News

Near-transparent photovoltaics may see widespread building solar applications

Latest News

Researchers at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA have developed a near-transparent photovoltaic cell which blocks infrared light, letting in 70 percent of sunlight.

The transparent solar cells do double-duty, both dimming incoming light and generating electricity. They are said to be durable and inexpensive, allowing integration not just into windows, but also on mobile devices and cases.

Transparent cells could also be used in the windows of vehicles, providing a small but supplemental power system to the car battery or improving the travel distances of electric vehicles.

Most importantly, the development allows buildings to have windows covered in solar cells, providing much more surface area by which to generate electricity from the sun’s rays.