Using The Solar Window To Generate Electricity

It would be nice if you could make your own power, as you enjoy the view to your
back yard. That dream is slowly becoming a reality, thanks to new technology. Using
a solar window to generate electricity may be very easy in the future. Also, you will
not have to worry about all those panels up on your roof. Here is more information.

Photovoltaic Glass

Photovoltaic glass units are being developed by a company known as Pythagoras. They
are working on glass panes that will be available for walls, windows, and skylights.
These products are designed to filter ultra violet rays and concentrate sunlight into
energy. Unlike current panels, these are designed to be transparent, so you can see
through them. They will also provide plenty of light in the daytime for many industrial
applications.

At the same time, plans are being drawn for what is known as zero energy buildings.
It may be possible for large buildings to be completely independent of any kind of
outside power sources, this way. This can help a great deal in making use of renewable
energy sources and cleaning up the environment. It is new development in BIPV

BIPV

You may be hearing a great deal about BIPV and this stands for building integrated
Photovoltaics. It is one of the fastest growing areas in photovoltaics. BIPV is used
in the design of new buildings. This new design makes part of the structure, an energy
producing generator. For example, some types of roof tiles may also serve as a power
source. In England, the CIS Tower in Manchester is self sufficient and adds energy back
into the power grid.

Transparent Energy Cells

In Switzerland, chemists are working on transparent solar cells. Their prototype at the
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology can convert ten percent of energy from sunlight
into power. At present, it is not close to the efficiency of the silicone panels that
you see on roofs, but it is much less expensive. In fact it may as much as ten times
cheaper to produce and install.

Both the clear and silicone panels work by converting sunlight into energy. However,
the silicone panels work with semi-conductors. The basic principle of the clear panel
is similar to photosynthesis.

Summary

There is new technology that may make energy from the sun, a lot cheaper. Photovoltaic
glass is being developed that will manufacture power and still be transparent. This can
produce buildings that are totally energy efficient and they may even help add to the
total power needs of cities. Current panels work with semi-conductors, and are not possible
to see through. However in the future, building may make use of the solar window to generate
electricity.