An American start -up revealed the largest organic photovoltaic window completely transparent to the world
Imagine a future in which the windows of the skyscrapers are not only architectural elements, but real energy plants capable of generating clean electricity. This future is now closer thanks to the largest organic photovoltaic window (OPV) transparent to the world: a 101 cm x 152 cm panel capable of producing energy directly from sunlight.
The Californian company that produced it, Next Energy Technologiescompleted the update of its pilot production line, showing that this technology is no longer a futuristic idea, but an industrialized reality. Now the company is working on the creation of Commercial OPV windows in the 152 cm format x 304 cm.
A technology for the glass industry
Although many studies and proposals are emerging, such as transparent and colorful solar modules presented by an Italian team, integrating photovoltaics into buildings still means, mostly, installing opaque panels or not adaptable to urban aesthetics. Opv technology completely changes this paradigm: The transparent photovoltaic coating allows to transform traditional windows into active surfaces in the production of energy, without altering the appearance of the building.
Innovation is easily scalable during production: the coating is applied to the glass slabs through a printing process Slot-Rod. It is a coating of deposition of subtle films used in the production of electronic, photovoltaic and display devices. This technology allows you to apply a uniform layer of liquid material on a surface, such as glass or plastic, so precise, scalable and efficient.
Towards self -sufficient buildings
The integration of photovoltaics in the facades of buildings is one of the most ambitious challenges of sustainable architecture. A building equipped with OPV windows can generate 20-25% of its energy needs on sitethus reducing electricity consumption from the network.
In addition, these windows absorb infrared lighthelping to reduce the heating of internal environments and reducing air conditioning costs. In other words, not only generate electricity, but make buildings more efficient from an energy point of view.
