South Korea's new semi-transparent silicon solar cell has an efficiency of 12% and is expected to become a new generation of "windows" in the future
If windows of the future could capture sunlight to generate electricity, businesses and homes could potentially save significant costs. The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed transparent solar panels with a 12% conversion efficiency. In the near future, windows could become solar panels, transforming entire buildings into power plants. Unlike rooftop solar systems, which face aesthetic considerations, regulations, and permits, fully transparent glass solar panels could be an entry-level option upon commercialization. Consequently, many research institutions have recently begun exploring glass solar panels or integrating window and solar technology. However, existing technologies face numerous challenges. First, conversion efficiencies fall below the 20% of conventional solar panels. Furthermore, because they need to absorb a wider range of sunlight wavelengths, the technologies being developed primarily rely on emerging materials like dyes and polymers, often with brown and blue hues, and are still some time away from commercialization. Therefore, the UNIST team is looking to adapt common silicon-based solar cells, potentially opening up new opportunities for the solar market. In their research, UNIST first punched countless tiny holes in a 1-square-centimeter silicon solar cell. The holes, about 100 microns in diameter, are as thin as a human hair. This design allows 100% of sunlight to pass through, allowing the cell to absorb the light without changing its color. Ultimately, the team developed a semi-transparent silicon solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 12%. While this still falls short of 20% and the 15% threshold for commercialization, it's already superior to other transparent cells.