What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about solar panels? More than likely, you picture them on a roof or perhaps in a field as part of a solar farm. That is about to change.
Typically, there is an opaque color associated with solar panels because of the semiconductor layers. Those are the layers that capture the light from the sun and convert it into energy that we can use.
Scientists at Incheon University in South Korea may be changing this, however, because they have created a clear version of the solar panel. Those researchers have replaced the semiconductor layers with titanium dioxide indexable oxide.
Since both of those materials can get the job done while still maintaining optical clarity, there is much visible light that can pass through them.
This would seem like a wonderful thing, but the efficiency of those clear solar cells is only at 2%. They would not do very well in helping to generate energy at this point.
According to the director for solar energy resources at the University, Dr. Stuart Irvine, the poor rate of efficiency is the biggest challenge they have. They have to figure out how to get the most useful energy out of the solar cell while still maintaining clarity.
It is becoming more common for solar panels to be put in place in various countries. In 2020, installations increased by 25% in Germany, for example.
Even though the transparent solar panel issues with poor efficiency are still in place, Dr. Irvine feels that they may be good for small domestic items, such as cell phones. He said: “With consumer products, I think there is huge potential, and it doesn’t need a lot of power.”
Another interesting concept that is gaining some ground is the use of solar panel blinds. Those blinds would use the typical opaque solar panel with a higher efficiency to use in windows while capturing the energy from the sun.
Not only do they capture energy from the solar rays, they can also block sunlight from coming into the room, helping to keep the energy useage to a minimum. Some companies feel that this may reduce energy bills by as much as 70% in some cases.
This is ongoing and developing technology, but it will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
