"Researchers at Michigan State University have created a fully transparent solar concentrator, which could turn any window or sheet of glass (like your smartphone’s screen) into a photovoltaic solar cell.


"Unlike other “transparent” solar cells that we’ve reported on in the past, this one really is transparent, as you can see in the photos throughout this story. According to Richard Lunt, who led the research, the team are confident that the transparent solar panels can be efficiently deployed in a wide range of settings, from “tall buildings with lots of windows or any kind of mobile device that demands high aesthetic quality like a phone or e-reader.”

http://msutoday.msu.edu/feature/2015/the-future-is-clear/?utm_campaign=standard-promo&utm_source=msulinkedin-post&utm_medium=social#

If it works, generates enough, and isn't prohibitively expensive, then this looks great.

But usually with these things it seems to turn out that they fail on one of those points.

Am wondering if anyone else has come across this and looked into it in any detail.

Is it "solar freakin roadways" all over again?

Not just UV but also near IR, they say (so suspect they're not using silicon PV).

It's a concentrator so you can't work out the power just from the area.

But, yes, without knowing a lot more than is in the video it's difficult to make any sensible judgement.

What efficiency are they claiming for these ones? The last ones linked to on here were under 2% at that time.

Posted By: Chris P BaconWhat efficiency are they claiming for these ones?

The video makes no efficiency claims or mentions any other numbers. Draw your own conclusions.

Mostly I think it's a matter of cost. If the incremental cost over a standard window is low enough then a high level of efficiency isn't required.

E.g., there's Polysolar [¹] in the UK who do translucent panels for greenhouses, etc. Trouble is (or was, while since I looked) the cost of their panels is greater than the cost of polycarbonate plus the equivalent number of separate panels. OK if you're really stuck for space otherwise difficult to justify.

[¹] http://www.polysolar.co.uk/

Maybe if you want lots of windows in a building (e.g. office) this glass will reduce the AC requirement while also generating a little power. Removeing the IR sounds good for office blocks, but not homes.

For your info, I signed up to a website and found a price for the Polysolar.

The unframed 1100 mm x 1300 mm Polysolar a-Si Photovoltaic Module PS-C-901 panels, with 8% efficiency, go for £200 + VAT, wholesale.

- Weight: 24kg.
- Connections: MC4
- They're connected in parallel, so shading of one panel doesn't have an effect on the others.
- Material: laminate glass (float glass on front, heat treated on back)
- And "as the panels work in low and ambient light conditions, at high temperatures and because they can uniquely generate power from both sides the energy yields from a Polysolar system average a higher output over a year than conventional PV systems."