Photovoltaic solar panels installed on skyscrapers

Can a skyscraper turn sunlight into electricity?

Researchers have set a new efficiency world record for converting sunlight into electricity using transparent solar cells. The breakthrough, made by an international team from the CitySolar project, is a huge boost for renewable energy, allowing entire skyscrapers to serve as power stations by transforming their windows into solar panels.

Can windows be turned into solar panels?

Windows, because they leak energy, are a big part of the problem. "Anything we can do to mitigate that is going to have a very large impact," says Wheeler, a solar power expert at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. A series of recent results points to a solution, he says: Turn the windows into solar panels.

Can solar cells power a building?

At that rate, the cells could power some of the building's lighting and air conditioning. At the other end of the spectrum is infrared light, which strikes Earth's surface more intensely than UV light and can therefore generate more electricity.

Will see-through solar panels be available for future construction projects?

The team behind the discovery is currently in discussions with industry partners to scale up production of the see-through solar panels and make them available for future construction projects.

Could transparent solar cells be the next big step?

“Transparent solar cells could be the next big step in building integrated energy solutions,” said Professor Morten Madsen from the University of Southern Denmark, who was one of the key researchers behind the breakthrough.

How efficient is a solar window?

A solar window created by scientists at Michigan State University in East Lansing reached an efficiency of 5% using organic photovoltaics. RICHARD LUNT/MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Lance Wheeler looks at glassy skyscrapers and sees untapped potential.