Heliatek, a global developer of organic photovoltaics (OPV) and organic solar films, has developed novel transparent solar films that will allow tinted glass windows to generate electricity.
Transparent solar films will enable building glass to become energy harvesters that smoothly integrate into a building’s design. © Heliatek GmbH
These transparent solar films can be integrated in double glazed windows between the glass sheets. Heliatek uses a unique vapor deposition technology that enables a homogeneous solar coating layer devoid of irregularities or distracting patterns.
The company is collaborating with building material manufacturers for integrating the solar film technology into their products. It has also entered into an agreement with RECKLI, a producer of elastic molds for concrete façades. This collaboration aims to integrate solar films on building walls made of concrete, which will allow the whole wall to function as a solar energy harvester. Such a system will not require cooling mechanisms or supporting structures. Heliatek will be exhibiting a study of this application at the Intersolar EUROPE event in Germany.
Heliatek has developed and synthesized oligomers at its Ulm lab in Germany. It uses a roll-to-roll vacuum process at low temperatures. The cells possess high uniformity and purity and are made from nm-thin layers. This technology functionality may be considered to be the reverse of OLED technology.
The color and transparency levels of the Heliatek solar films can be customized according to the requirements. At 23.5% light transmission levels, these cells deliver an efficiency of 7%. The present transparency level is 40%, which can be increased to 50%. Earlier tests by SGS proved that Heliatek's cells performed better than traditional solar technologies. The cell efficiency did not drop with increase in temperatures.
Source: http://www.heliatek.com/
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.