Improve efficiency of solar window panes

Researchers at MIT using a specific chemical formulation which is combined with partial of the infrared-reflective coating to increase the efficiency and level of transparency of a solar window panes. Although still in very early stage, their prototype has achieved 1.7 percent efficiency and its targeted to reach 12 percent efficiency to be able compete with current commercial solar panels.


These findings as well as providing new hope of development of earlier findings which considered less efficient. Photovoltaic cells based on organic molecules allows sunlight through standard window glass panels at the same time utilizing infrared light to be converted into electrical energy for lighting, mobile devices, laptops and other devices. Additionally, it will reduce installation costs by taking advantage of the existing window structure.


This new system has been published in the journal Applied Physics Letters. According to researchers, the transparent photovoltaic system they developed could eliminate many associated costs. The system also has to provide efficiency comparable with non-transparent organic photovoltaic cells are much better than previous versions.


Research sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy is offering a new system installation that could block a lot of the warming effect of sunlight streaming through a window and its also potentially reducing the need for air conditioning in buildings.