The ClearView Power windows are coated with an extremely thin layer of organic dye that absorbs infrared and ultraviolet light and converts it into electricity to power buildings. (Image Credit: Ubiquitous Energy)
Another day, another solar window. What if windows in our homes or office buildings could generate electricity from the sun? Ubiquitous Energy, a Redwood City, California-based start-up company, has developed ClearView Power windows with built-in transparent solar cells that can collect and harness solar energy.
Even though various other companies are developing similar products, the technology is still in the early stages. It’s one of several up-and-coming products that are capable of harnessing solar energy, which includes irrigation pumps and a “solar oven” that can produce cement and steel. The company will be looking to take advantage of a new ruling set by the California government that requires all residential homes constructed in 2020 or later to have some form of energy generation installed into it.
The windows are coated with a layer of organic dye that measures 1/1000th of a millimeter thick. It absorbs infrared and ultraviolet light and transforms it into electricity, which is then stored into a battery and used later on to power a home or office. Unlike traditional solar panels, which capture the entire spectrum of sunlight, the ClearView Power windows allow visible sunlight to pass through, so it doesn’t dim much, if at all.
However, these windows aren’t as efficient as solar panels since they don’t capture the full spectrum of sunlight. When it’s at peak performance, the transparent panels are capable of absorbing up to two-thirds the amount of solar energy that traditional solar panels capture. They’re also about 20% more expensive to install compared to ordinary windows. That cost is balanced out by the electricity the windows generate.
Ubiquitous Energy also wants its solar windows to work alongside solar rooftop panels instead of replacing them. By using both at the same time, large buildings’ net energy consumption could be brought down to zero, which means the buildings could generate as much energy as they use.
To date, the company has installed the solar windows at its own office buildings in Redwood City, where the glass panels are manufactured. They are also offering rectangular grids that contain six glass panels which measure 14” x 20”.
The windows can be used in various buildings, from residential to industrial spaces. In addition to that, the glass could be installed on electronic gadgets, such as an iPhone, to provide power to the battery.
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