A breakthrough in photovoltaic technology allows for see-through solar panels capable of powering mobile devices
In a significant leap forward for sustainable energy, South Korean researchers have developed a transparent solar cell that could revolutionize how we power our mobile devices. This innovative photovoltaic panel is clear enough to be placed over a smartphone screen while efficiently charging its battery.
The team’s creation marks a step towards ubiquitous, flexible, and highly efficient solar technology. By focusing on transparency, the scientists have produced a crystalline silicon solar cell that minimizes the use of opaque metallic elements, allowing visible light to pass through.
The prototype solar cell boasts an impressive 16 cm² area without any opaque components, making it ideal for seamless integration with device screens. Its efficiency ranges from 14% to 20%, generating a voltage of 10 V at 235 mW. To demonstrate its practical application, the researchers successfully used the panel to charge a smartphone battery using only solar energy.
Employing an “all-back-contact” (ABC) design, the panel’s electrical connections are confined to its rear side, preserving its transparency. The modular nature of the technology allows for scalability, as 1 cm² panels can be connected without visible seams, adapting to various applications.
Professor Kwanyong Seo, a key researcher on the project, emphasized the importance of this development: “We’ve pioneered a new approach to modularization, crucial for commercializing transparent silicon solar cells. Our ongoing research aims to establish transparent solar cells as a cornerstone of future eco-friendly energy solutions.”
This groundbreaking work, detailed in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, paves the way for a future where our everyday devices could be powered by the very surfaces we look through.
