South Korean researchers have found a way to turn glass into an energy source. The transparent solar cells they've developed could revolutionize our use of renewable energy.
A team from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has designed crystalline silicon solar cells. Thanks to this advancement, integrating these devices onto glass surfaces is now possible.
The scientists opted to use the "all-back-contact" (ABC) technology, which places all components at the back. This ensures a completely transparent front surface, resembling glass.
The innovation also relies on a wire-free modularization method, an approach that eliminates visible metal wires, once considered essential. This technique involves assembling small transparent solar cells to form a larger module while maintaining perfect continuity between the elements. Not only does this improve the efficiency of the device, but it also preserves the aesthetics, allowing these modules to blend seamlessly into any glass surface, be it building windows or smartphone screens.
Test results reveal an energy conversion efficiency of 15.8%. Meanwhile, these cells allow 20% of visible light to pass through, offering a good balance between energy production and transparency. A landmark trial successfully charged a smartphone directly through the screen. This capability demonstrates the potential of using these cells on various devices, from automotive glass to building windows, and even on electronic device screens.
The study, published in
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), highlights the significance of this breakthrough for renewable energy production. It also opens up new possibilities across different sectors.
The researchers plan to further improve the technology to make it commercially viable. Their goal: to ensure these solar cells become critical in the clean energy industry. The potential applications of this technology could transform our energy consumption. With windows generating electricity, the number of energy-autonomous buildings could significantly increase.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND