Advances in semi-transparent photo voltaic cell expertise drive future vitality options for buildings
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Oct 24, 2025
Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic College have succeeded in establishing a brand new benchmark for semi-transparent natural photovoltaic (ST-OPV) expertise, an innovation enabling the combination of photo voltaic cells into home windows, screens and different surfaces for city environments. ST-OPVs deal with the essential problem of balancing transparency with excessive energy conversion effectivity, combining engaging visible design with efficient vitality era for sensible constructing integration.
A key achievement of the PolyU staff was the event of the dimensionless parameter FoMLUE, which screens photoactive supplies by combining visible transmittance, bandgap and present density, permitting a deeper understanding of fabric properties by means of normalized absorbance evaluation. Led by Prof. LI Gang and Analysis Fellow Dr YU Jiangsheng, the staff demonstrated that ST-OPVs using ternary supplies with the very best FoMLUE achieved superior thermal insulation and operational stability, with a brand new document gentle utilization effectivity of 6.05 percent-the highest reported determine for any semi-transparent photo voltaic cell.
The analysis additional evaluated geographical influences on system efficiency, growing a transient mannequin to simulate ST-OPV window energy output. Utilized throughout 371 Chinese language cities, outcomes indicated annual load reductions in additional than 90 % of areas. Areas with scorching summers and heat winters displayed the best suitability, with annual complete vitality financial savings reaching as much as 1.43 GJ per sq. meter. This method means that ST-OPV glazing can improve constructing vitality effectivity with out compromising aesthetic enchantment.
Prof. Li acknowledged, “As an rising photo voltaic photovoltaic expertise, photo voltaic home windows provide new potentialities for sensible deployment in BIPV, renewable vitality autos and agricultural greenhouses. Our findings spotlight the multifunctionality and geographical adaptability of high-performance ST-OPVs within the development of sustainable and energy-saving sensible home windows with out compromising the integrity of architectural design, showcasing their extremely promising business prospects.”
The PolyU staff intends to additional strengthen ST-OPV sturdiness and to scale manufacturing for bigger photo voltaic modules to advance business implementation.
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Associated Hyperlinks
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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