Emerging Renewable Technologies - Transparent Solar Panels

As we look to the future of renewable energies, we are always looking for ways to expand to new technologies or improve our current ones. Solar panels are one of the leading renewable energies in the world, and manufacturers are currently testing a new transparent type. In this article, we will look at them and how they could affect the renewable energy market.

What are transparent solar panels?

Known also as solar glass, transparent solar panels are a see-through photovoltaic (PV) technology that generates electricity from daylight. The difference between solar glass and solar panels, is that solar glass allows a portion of the visible light to pass through the system, making them ideal to be used for specific windows, skylights, facades, and curtain walls.

Solar glass is not currently fully see-through and typically has a slight tint. A fully transparent version has been successfully made and tested in a lab setting but lacks the efficiency to be distributed to the market.

How do they work?

Selective absorption – The material used for solar glass will absorb specific wavelengths of sunlight, mainly ultraviolet and infrared radiation but, will then let the other wavelengths through allowing light to pass through the solar glass. The wavelengths absorbed will be converted to electricity.  

Transparent conductors – The transparent materials they use are conductive, meaning that they material allows electricity to flow allowing the solar glass to keep its transparency.

Thin-film technology - For most transparent solar panels, they use thin-film technology to help enhance the transparency whilst retaining its energy efficient generation. This technology for solar glass is still in its infancy and we have seen transparent solar panels struggle with overall efficiency.

Advantages

Aesthetics – With the solar glass being of transparent nature, it allows for them to transition and blend easily into the design of most buildings. 

Additional energy source – Solar glass is a great way to supplement existing energy systems and reduces your reliance on the power grid to power your property. 

Versatility – Transparent solar panels can be used for a wide range of applications, both residential homes and commercial buildings.

Reduced environmental impact - With a constant push for sustainable energy, the clean energy solar glass produce will help towards a more sustainable future. 

Current state and future

Transparent solar panels currently lack the level of efficiency compared to standard solar panels. The technology is having to sacrifice a lot of power generation for the sake of transparency. We can still see solar glass being used to support a larger scale renewable system, such as commercial buildings with a large-scale solar system. We do not recommend it yet for domestic purpose; however, we are seeing implementations into greenhouses that are showing to be effective.

Transparent solar panels show the potential growth within PV technology. We expect to see more innovative ways of making transparent solar panels more efficient in the near future.