Researchers have developed an ultrathin transparent solar cell that can generate electricity from both direct sunlight and indoor illumination while remaining nearly invisible. The advance could allow ordinary windows to serve as power sources without sacrificing transparency, opening new possibilities for energy-generating buildings, vehicles, and consumer electronics. By integrating photovoltaic technology directly into glass, the researchers aim to expand solar energy collection beyond traditional rooftop panels, tells this article from Tech Briefs.
The breakthrough is based on perovskite, a class of semiconductor materials that has attracted significant attention for its high efficiency and low manufacturing cost. The new cells are approximately 10,000 times thinner than a strand of human hair and about 50 times thinner than conventional perovskite solar cells. Despite their extreme thinness, they achieve some of the highest reported power conversion efficiencies for ultrathin perovskite devices, demonstrating that transparency and electrical performance do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Unlike conventional photovoltaic panels that require direct outdoor sunlight, the transparent cells can also harvest energy from artificial indoor lighting. This capability makes them suitable for powering low-energy electronics, Internet of Things devices, sensors, and smart building systems that operate under office or household lighting. In larger installations, windows equipped with the technology could contribute to a building’s electricity supply while maintaining natural daylight and unobstructed views.
The technology also offers opportunities beyond architecture. Transparent solar cells could be incorporated into vehicle windows and sunroofs to supplement battery power or integrated into wearable electronics, smart glasses, and portable devices. Because the cells are lightweight and flexible, they can be applied to surfaces where conventional silicon panels would be impractical.
Although additional work is needed to improve durability and prepare the technology for commercial production, the research demonstrates the growing potential of transparent photovoltaics. As buildings increasingly become active participants in energy generation, solar windows could help reduce electricity consumption without altering the appearance or function of everyday glass surfaces. By capturing both outdoor and indoor light, the innovation represents another step toward integrating renewable energy into the built environment.
