How To Transform Your Window Into Solar Panel

In 2007 Traditionally, solar panels for buildings have predominantly been stand alone systems mounted to roofs in order to capture sunlight.

A new transparent building integrated photovoltaic technology is being funded by National Institute of Standards and Technology which would allow windows and other building integrated applications to get converted into solar panels which will capture sunlight directly and convert them into power.

That means no uglier looking stand alone panels but with the BIPV technology your own windows and roofs could be converted into solar panels.

National Institute of Standards and Technology has invested $4.7 million to develop technology that would allow windows and other building applications to be converted into solar panels.

Konarka Technologies and Air Products will aim to find ways to develop future applications for this technology that would undoubtedly be welcomed by home owners and the renewable energy sector.

Konarka will use the funds to further develop its patented, transparent, metallic grid electrode technology for the new cell and module architecture while Air Products will develop high-conductivity polymers with more efficient charge injection capability in Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. OPV technology is unique among solar energy alternatives as it has the potential for selecting materials for varying levels of transparency, capable of absorbing narrowly or broadly in one or more regions of the visible and near-infrared spectrum.

If the companies are successful, the technology will become suitable for varied use. By regulating the wavelength of the light passing through, the windows will be able to control light for privacy and also conserve energy.

Given its character, the material developed will be able to conserve sunlight inside as well as outdoor.