Solar Module Windows

Designs decorating the huge windows of corporate buildings may soon be able to provide more than just advertising.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Energy Systems (ISE) have developed a new solar module that uses organic dyes in combination with nanoparticles to produce electricity. A glass facade made of this material can be given any sort of decorative or promotional design, such as a colorful company logo or graphic, while delivering electricity to boot.

Members of the Fraunhofer ISE are traveling to Tokyo for Nanotech 2008 to demonstrate the new module, which is the size and shape of a door: two meters high and sixty centimeters wide.

The key component of the new modules is an organic dye which in combination with nanoparticles converts sunlight into electricity. Due to the small size of the nanoparticles, the modules are semi-transparent. This aspect makes them well suited for facade integration. 

 

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