Transparent glass containing solar cells the future of solar-powered houses?

[+Green Blog]

Will your house be solar-powered by “rose-tinted” windows in the future? At least that’s what professor John Bell from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia hopes.

He has worked with Dyesol, a Canberra-based company, trying to develop affordable transparent solar cells that act as both windows and energy generators in houses or commercial buildings.

According to John Bell the transparent solar cells will have a “faint reddish hue” and be “completely see-through.” They will also reduce carbon emissions by 50% and make “a significant difference to home and building owners’ energy costs.”

John Bell even says the house owners would be able to generate excess energy that could be sold or stored for later use.

The solar cells contain titanium dioxide coated in a dye that increases light absorption.

The glass captures solar energy which can be used to power the house but can also reduce overheating of the house, reducing the need for cooling.

He said that the solar-powered glass would be on the market in “a few years”.

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[mountainhiker]

According to John Bell the transparent solar cells will have a “faint reddish hue†and be “completely see-through.†They will also reduce carbon emissions by 50% and make “a significant difference to home and building owners’ energy costs.â€

John Bell even says the house owners would be able to generate excess energy that could be sold or stored for later use.

The solar cells contain titanium dioxide coated in a dye that increases light absorption.

The glass captures solar energy which can be used to power the house but can also reduce overheating of the house, reducing the need for cooling.

He said that the solar-powered glass would be on the market in “a few yearsâ€.

We can hope that this not just another fairy tale and is a true sign that research in this area is going to pay off, however, the key to the statement is

affordable transparent solar cells