Researchers in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a unique kind of dye that can transform windows into Photovoltaic Solar Power panels, based on articles published within the journal Science.
The brand new technology might be in commercial production within the next 3 years, researchers say. Beyond simply powering individual homes, it could even be accustomed to transform skyscrapers into Power Plants.
"It is smart to coat the side of tall buildings with one of these new panes," researcher Marc Baldo said. "It is extremely doable once people are open to the idea."
While other models of solar panels research ways to gather more solar power from individual panels by tracking and magnifying sunlight onto large collectors. These devices are bulky and expensive. They also need massive areas of ground or roof space to maneuver.
With photo voltic dye on glass, it merely transforms regular windows into solar power collectors. The light energy normally hitting the window becomes electricity due to the paint like coating on the outside of it.
"What we now have is really a little bit of glass, having a very thin layer of paint or dye on the top," Baldo said. "The light comes in and hits the dye ... which absorbs it and re-emits the sunshine, however it's inside the glass so it bounces along there until it gets to the edge. And that means you only have to mount the solar power panels around the edge."
Even though dye would change the appearance of the glass, Baldo said, it should not significantly hamper the fundamental functions of a window.
"The coated glass would let through about Ten percent of the sun to illuminate the area, and also the remainder would be captured and funneled towards the edges to solar cells to create electricity," he explained. "It would look like tinted glass due to the dyes."
The researchers asserted the dyes may also enhance the efficiency of existing panels by 50 percent, by simply placing the dyed glass along with them.
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