Windows are so boring. All you can do is look through them. In this age of convergence, where devices do more than one thing, windows are so old school, right? Wrong! RSi Solar has introduced “the world’s first, transparent, photovoltaic-glass window which generates 80 to 250 watts of electricity”. It offers “an enclosed super-tempered glass window system, with a patent pending, fully integrated, multi-tier PV and heat insulation technology. Up to 9’ x 9’ size”.
Expect to see these photovoltaic windows in “signature projects” in Hollywood and Las Vegas. Both seem like fine locations to use this technology, if you ask me.
Via Treehugger.
Way too cool.
Price?
Means of aggregating output from multiple windows?
The whole idea of solar panels is that they convert the light energy into electrical energy, right?
If they’re touting a big feature as it being transparent, does that really make sense? Transparent would mean less light can be potentially converted into electricity.
Solar panels aren’t exactly the most efficient way to create electricity and so if they’re still maintaining the efficiency of other solar panels and just letting anything extra pass through, that’s not so much of an issue, but I wouldn’t personally expect that.
Transparent means you can see through them and its a good idea!