When we think of solar power, usually images of large panels located on the roofs of houses or fields usually arise in our minds. However, experts are also working hard on such a type of solar cell that is virtually impossible to see.
The articles in question are strongly reminiscent of glass, which means, among other things, that they can theoretically make windows, doors, etc.
“We have analyzed their potential and found that, when it comes to generating electricity, these devices capture exclusively invisible light have a similar potential as solar roof tiles,” said Richard Lunt of Michigan State University.
Lunt estimates that if transparent cells occupy a total area of 5 to 7 billion square meters – which is not so unrealistic due to the number of different glass surfaces – they could cover about 40% of US electricity consumption. And if they were combined with the above-mentioned roof tiles (and improved storage technology), it could be almost 100%.
Of course, efficiency is considerably lower than for conventional solar panels – roughly 5%. On the other hand, the average skyscraper has so many windows that it is not a big deal.
A separate chapter presents an interesting opportunity to integrate these articles into electric vehicles or various electronic devices.
