The era of fossil fuels is coming to an end, and renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important. One such technology that holds great promise is the solar windows. These innovative windows can generate clean electricity while also allowing natural light to enter buildings.
There are two main types of see-through solar windows. One uses a thin layer of photovoltaic particles, while the other directs sunlight towards the edges of the glass pane where it can be collected by solar cells. Australian company ClearVue has made significant strides in the development of the latter technology.
Recently, ClearVue achieved a major milestone by securing its first order for solar cladding. This cladding technology uses tiny particles to spread, bounce, and redirect sunlight toward the glass pane’s edges. These edges have silicon solar cells that turn sunlight into clean electricity. This process also keeps buildings cool and safe from too much heat and harmful sun rays.
In addition to producing clean energy, ClearVue’s technology can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 22%. The solar technology is integrated into buildings, offering a more seamless solution compared to traditional rooftop solar panels.
While the amount of electricity generated varies depending on factors like location, building design, and local climate, ClearVue’s solar windows test site in Warwick Grove has demonstrated promising results. Based on their findings, the company estimates that each 1000 square meters of ClearVue windows can generate approximately 70 kilowatt-hours per day.
Reference- Clean Technica, ClearVue website & PR, Intersting Engineering, Popular Science, PV Magazine