Using our windows to power our homes?


Although not entirely transparent, the modules are being developed in a variety of architecturally neutral colours.


“E


ngineers estimate that SolarWindow modules could


conservatively


produce at least ten times the electri- cal energy of conventional rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, and in some instances, exceed power perfor- mance by as much as 50-fold. Solar- Window modules could also eliminate the equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by vehicles driv- ing more than two million miles per year.” This astonishing statement was


released by New Energy Technologies on June 3 this year as the company introduced a high-performance proto- type of their see-through glass sprayed with solar cells. Currently, they see tall glass buildings coated with their prod- uct where enough electricity could be generated to power 130 homes each year. Today’s rooftop systems could only produce enough for three to 11 homes per year. “SolarWindow is currently under development for even- tual commercial deployment in the estimated 80 million detached homes in America and more than five million commercial buildings.” Wow! And the product can work in


“direct, diffuse, and shaded sunlight”. It produces electricity from both natu- ral and artificial light sources such as


34 • Summer 2014


New Energy Technologies’ See-through SolarWindow™ is capable of generating electricity on glass windows. Photos by Patrick H. Corkery, courtesy of New Energy Technologies, Inc.


fluorescent, LED and incandescent lights in offices. Don’t hold your breath right now


though. They are focussed on bringing the product to the commercial market by 2020. Nor is the glass as transpar- ent as we would probably like it to be – but they are working on this, too.


And some of the colours being experi- mented with are very attractive from the outside. How does it work? Tiny organic solar


cells, the size of a quarter of a grain of rice, are dissolved in liquid then sprayed,


onto a glass, plastic or even paper. . www.localgardener.net


inkjet printed or even rolled


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