Transparent Solar Cells

Until today, solar panels are commonly semi-transparent or tinted black in colour. But now, companies around the United States are researching a new type of solar panel, one that is fully transparent.

Yes, the solar cell is fully transparent and can't be distinguished from a normal piece of glass. If applied to our modern day buildings, they would look exactly the same as it were now. The way it works is that it captures the light that we cannot see with our naked eye, being ultraviolet and infrared light. The light is then guided to the edge of the glass where thin strips of solar cells will capture the energy to convert it into electricity. This has the potential to solve any energy crisis a city could be facing. A city with all of its windows being able to generate electricity, this could be the future for solar technology.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

References :

Petrunia, P., (2015).  Michigan State University researchers develop completely transparent solar panels. Available at: http://archinect.com/news/article/139550126/michigan-state-university-researchers-develop-completely-transparent-solar-panels. [Accessed 9 November 2015].

Olewitz, C., (2015). Transparent solar cells are here, but they won't see the light of day for years. Available at http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/ubiquitous-energy-transparent-solar-power-timeline/. [Accessed 9 November 2015].

Written by: Teh Hui Huang