Does this photovoltaic window of window really work?

Imagine a small solar panel, as large as the palm of one hand, capable of generating a tension of 220V. A solution designed for those in motion and want a portable alternative to recharge smartphones, laptops or small electronic devices. This is the idea behind the Window Socketa solar electric socket designed by two South Korean designers, Kyuho Song and Boa Oh. The concept is simple: to exploit sunlight to produce energy, wherever you are, with a compact and easy to use device.

How Window Socket works

The Window Socket presents itself as a small album, with an essential design that integrates a Circular photovoltaic module. On the one hand, the solar panel captures the sun’s rays; on the other, a suction cup allows you to fix it directly on a window or on any glass surface exposed to light. The device is equipped with a battery integrated by 1,000 mAhwhich requires between 5 and 8 hours of sun exposure To be completely recharged.

The energy accumulated in the battery can be used to power 220V devices thanks to an integrated voltage converter. The project was presented in 2016 during the Dubai Design Weekarousing curiosity for its potential in terms of sustainability and portability. However, the device has never been marketed and remains firm at the concept stage.

The limits of a revolutionary idea

Despite the initial enthusiasm, the device seems to clash with obvious technological limits. The 1,000 mAh battery, for example, is insufficient to meet the energy needs of modern devices. A smartphone with a 4,000 mAh battery would in fact require several complete top -ups of the device to reach 100%. Even the exposure time necessary to accumulate energy – up to 8 hours – makes the device not very practical for daily use.

Another problem is related to the very ability of miniaturized solar panels. Current technologies do not yet allow to produce a sufficient amount of energy to power higher power devices. Such a small module is unable to support, for example, electronic devices with high consumption.

The idea behind the gadget is undoubtedly a step towards greater awareness of the importance of renewable energies. However, the technical limits and the lack of updates on the project leave room for doubts about its real applicability. The possibility of having a portable sun socket could transform the way we approach the recharge of the devices, but there is still a lot of work to do to make it a functional reality.