Eden.fm

DailyTech – MIT Designs Solar Power Producing Windows, Coming Within 3 Years

By clustering solar cells around the edges of the specially prepared sheets of glass, the new method provides a unique alternative to expensive rooftop solar cells.  They are also much more efficient than their rooftop brethren.  The special glass panels concentrate light 40 times standard sunlight before delivery directly to the cell.  Further different designs to absorb different wavelengths are available, so by using windows with several stacked glass panes, absorption can be optimized across the entire visible wavelength.

The system is so simple to manufacturer that the inventors expect it to be deployed within 3 years at little cost over standard window costs.  Furthermore, it can be added to existing solar panels to help concentrate sunlight for virtually no additional cost, and would increase their efficiency by a modest 50 percent, according to the authors.