As all-glass façades are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in the metropolises of the world, imagine how much solar energy could be generated if each glass pane were to double up as a solar panel.
Maryland-based tech startup Solar Window Technologies is developing a spray-on coating that enables see-through windows to become a solar panel, Off Grid Quest reports. Though products are still being developed and none are for sale yet, the product currently is subject of 42 patent filings.
“SolarWindow can outperform today’s solar by as much as 50-fold when installed on a 50-story building, according to independently validated power production calculations,” the company says on its website.
The coating is created by applying ultra-thin layers of liquid coatings made primarily of hydrogen and carbon, producing ultra-small solar cells.
Related Stories
Green | Jul 26, 2018
St. Paul aims for zero carbon in all buildings by 2050
The city is working for better efficiency and sourcing green power to reach its goal.
Green | Jul 26, 2018
DOE releases updated version of Better Buildings Financing Navigator
Version 2.0 provides renewable energy financing options, sector-specific and location-specific financing resources, and a smart database of financing providers.
Green | Jul 24, 2018
Cincinnati’s green approach to sewer discharge expected to save $100 million
Environmentally strategy does have its limits, though.
Codes and Standards | Jul 17, 2018
NIMBYism, generational divide threaten plan for net-zero village in St. Paul, Minn.
The ambitious redevelopment proposal for a former Ford automotive plant creates tension.
Sponsored | Energy Efficiency | Jul 2, 2018
Going solar has never been easier
There is an efficient system for mounting solar panels to roofs and turning roof real estate into raw power.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 27, 2018
To take on climate change, go passive
If you haven’t looked seriously at “passive house” design and construction, you should.
Accelerate Live! | Jun 24, 2018
Watch all 19 Accelerate Live! talks on demand
BD+C’s second annual Accelerate Live! AEC innovation conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago) featured talks on AI for construction scheduling, regenerative design, the micro-buildings movement, post-occupancy evaluation, predictive visual data analytics, digital fabrication, and more. Take in all 19 talks on demand.
Office Buildings | Jun 15, 2018
Portland’s newest office buildings put nature on center stage
Hacker Architects designed the space for Portland’s Frontside District.
| Jun 11, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Regenerative design — When sustainability is not enough
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), HMC’s Eric Carbonnier poses the question: What if buildings could actually rejuvenate ecosystems?
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: T3 mass timber office buildings
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), architect and mass timber design expert Steve Cavanaugh tells the story behind the nation’s newest—and largest—mass timber building: T3 in Minneapolis.
