We have already talked about photovoltaic glass on other occasions. This is a type of glass designed specifically for use in photovoltaic applications, that is, in the solar energy production through solar panels. This type of glass is used as a covering material in photovoltaic solar panels to protect and encapsulate the solar cells that generate electricity from sunlight.
And now it is Panasonic Holdings Corporation that gives it a new twist, by developing a prototype of smart glass based on the use of perovskite solar cellswhich they are already testing.
Smart window that generates energy
Image | Panasonic
We have seen how there are many different formulas to take advantage of solar energy and promote self-consumption. From compact wind turbines, to vacuum tubes, classic solar panels, solar panels that can be used on balconies, flexible panels or the latest we have seen, solar tiles. AND Added to all this is a new development from Panasonic.
The brand has started testing at its home laboratory “Future Co-Creation FINECOURT III”, located in the Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town in Japan. In her The brand tests with solar glass to take advantage of windows and walls so that they can capture and generate energy from the sun’s rays. The problem, to take advantage of this solution in the windows, we have to make them remain transparent.
To make it the brand has taken advantage of a type of perovskite cellscharacterized by their high conversion efficiency, ease of manufacturing and lower cost compared to traditional silicon solar cells, which have been improved thanks to the use of inkjet-based coating methods with laser technology.
Image | Panasonic
With this technique, the brand has achieved that the photovoltaic layer is formed directly on the glass and in this way, thanks to the arrangement in horizontal stripes, it has been achieved that the light input can be modified according to the need at any time.
The result is a type of intelligent glass or “smart glass” that has achieved an efficiency rate of 17.9% in tests in the conversion, a figure for the company compared to other existing developments.
The brand is testing with this “Smart Glass” and He is using it on the balconies of his house, laboratory, generating windows with considerable dimensions, reaching 3.8 meters wide and one meter high. The objective is that if this cell results functionally, it can end up being applied in different architectural elements of the house such as balconies, terraces, facades, balustrades… and thus ensure that, at the same time as they serve to build, they can generate energy.
Via | ecoinventions
More information | Panasonic
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