New Energy Technologies, which develops see-through solar window coatings capable of generating electricity on glass and flexible plastics, says its technology now can cover a piece of glass measuring 36 square inches.
Typically, organic photovoltaic (OPV) performance tests are conducted on small ‘lab-scale’ devices, which generally measure only 1 square inch or smaller due to the challenging nature of OPV scale-up for semi-transparent devices. New Energy’s latest SolarWindow module measures 36 square inches.
The company’s announcement is based on results of independent testing and certification of its SolarWindow modules by the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). New Energy’s module is the most efficient OPV module ever measured by NREL’s Device Performance Measurement Laboratory, according to New Energy Technologies.
Total power production and carbon-offset estimates for skyscraper installations are currently being calculated by engineers for public review using the NREL-validated SolarWindow performance results.
Company engineers envision installing SolarWindow on the vast areas of tinted glass surfaces on commercial buildings. In contrast, conventional solar power systems are limited to very small rooftop areas on skyscrapers and tall towers, which are already crowded with equipment such as HVAC services and elevators; tenant-amenities such as rooftop gardens and pools; and other high-footprint features.
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