New Energy and NREL develop improved, lucent SolarWindow

New Energy and NREL collaborate on the development of a lucent SolarWindow. Image: SolarWindow prototype

Last month, New Energy Technologies and scientists at the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) managed to manufacture the biggest OPV module that NREL has produced so far, 14 times bigger than the previous modules created at NREL. This month, New Energy has announced that the company, together with scientists at NREL, has developed a new technology for New Energy’s SolarWindow.

So far, the SolarWindow technology featured a bulkier wiring system, which resulted in lower power output as it limited the light absorption as well as transparency of the glass.
The newly developed wiring system is able to transport electricity on the glass of the window while the glass remains lucent. This is achieved by layering very small, see-through solar cells onto glass and joining these cells in an ‘invisible’ wiring system, New Energy explained. Scientists highlighted in demonstrations that SolarWindow generates energy when exposed to artificial as well as natural light.

John A. Conklin, president and CEO of New Energy, commented on the recent developments: "This technical accomplishment is an important advancement for our SolarWindow, and alongside our recent advancements with size and scale, clearly illustrates the success our research teams have achieved in recent months."