There are many innovative and exciting new ideas and start-ups that are popping up with the intention of improving, invigorating and transforming the renewable energy sector. One start-up that particularly grabbed my attention was Ubiquitous Energy, a company focused on developing see-through solar sheets that have the potential for coating windows, technology screens and many other surfaces exposed to sunlight.
The possible places in which this can be installed are vast and it could revolutionise the way in which devices are charged. Although it efficiency is limited because visible light cannot be captured (as this needs to pass through to make it see-through), light at the UV and infrared ends of the spectrum are absorbed and, in time, there is the possibility of reaching 22% efficiency.
The video below gives more detail about how these see-through solar panels work:
This is fascinating Anna, and may be a way of negotiating the aesthetic issue that many people seem to have with regular solar panels. Do you know when they are likely to be on the market?
ReplyDeleteAt present, the costs are high and efficiency is still low, but they are working improve both of these areas. They haven't currently set a timeframe as a lot of research is still required, but with the huge amount of recent press coverage, interest and investment should increase and hopefully we will see this in the marketplace in the near future!
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