One step closer to realizing the dream of turning windows into active power generators is the realization of the vision.
This increases the stability of solar windows and allows more natural light in. It also means that the visible light passing through cells is now at glazing levels. This makes them more useful in real-world applications.
Transparent solar windows on the horizon
The researchers previously created semi-transparent perovskite sun cells with a 17% power conversion efficiency that could let 10 percent visible light through. Rooftop non-transparent silicon cell efficiency is around 20 percent.
The same team has since developed new cell formulations that combine Cesium and Formamidinium as parts of the initial perovskite composition, resulting in 15.5 percent and 4.1 percent efficiencies, and an average visible transmittance of 20.7 percent and 52.4 percent, respectively, as reported by a study published in Advanced Science .
Do not be deceived by lower power conversion rates than in previous results. The visible light that passes through cells more than makes up for the difference.
Jasieniak, a researcher from the Monash University Department of Materials Science and Engineering said , “This work is a major step towards realizing high-efficiency and stable perovskite device that can be used as solar windows to fulfil what is a vastly untapped market opportunity.”
Semi-transparent formamidinium and caesium perovskite sun cells showed exceptional stability under constant heating and illumination. Semi-transparent perovskite sun cells made from caesium or formamidinium showed a remarkable 85 percent power conversion efficiency after 1000 hours of continuous illumination. This makes them attractive candidates for scaling up device manufacturing.
Understanding transparent solar energy
Transparent solar cells are able to gather light energy and use it through windows and any other glass surface. It can also expand the solar power potential.
Researchers have already developed several methods for transparent solar technology. Researchers have developed a variety of transparent solar technology. These include infrared and UV light concentrators that can capture certain wavelengths of the sun and convert them to energy that can be used to power electronics.
This technique, also known as photovoltaic glasses, is capable of producing different levels of transparency. This isn’t just for paper, transparent solar technologies are appearing everywhere on the planet.
