Company Develops Window Wall Technology That Can Generate Solar Power: ‘A Breakthrough in Innovation’

When you consider that adding more solar panels to the grid can both increase renewable energy potential and lower electricity costs, finding new places to install them seems like an obvious solution.

As Altenergymag reports, Santa Barbara, California-based NEXT Energy Technologies has already made progress in converting modern buildings into solar-powered facilities with its NEXT OPV technology.

The company successfully delivered large-format glass wall panels with transparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) coatings to Gensler’s Los Angeles headquarters.

Andy Cohen, Co-Chairman of Gensler, told Altenergymag: “NEXT Energy Technologies’ transparent OPV is a breakthrough for architects that will change the roadmap for sustainable buildings in the near future and net-zero emissions construction for decades to come, turning a building’s glass façade into a source of clean, renewable energy.”

According to MarketWatch, OPV panels currently only achieve about 11% efficiency in converting light into energy, while most commercially available photovoltaic panels achieve an average energy efficiency of 15-20%.

There are, however, many benefits to OPVs. These organic versions use carbon-based semiconductors, which require much more abundant materials than those typically used in solar panels — and are much less toxic. They can also collect light in the invisible infrared and ultraviolet spectrum while allowing visible light to pass through.

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Gensler’s shipment included 27-by-35-inch “Lite” panels, which are currently in pilot phases as they try to scale up to full-size 60-by-120-inch versions. The OPV coating is neutral gray in color and has achieved 3.5% efficiency, while less transparent spandrel glass versions offer up to 12%.

NEXT Energy claims that buildings using OPV-coated glass can withstand up to 25% of the energy demand of commercial buildings, while still fitting seamlessly into the design and not blocking views, as detailed in the Altenergymag report.

Scientists have worked with OPVs in a variety of applications, even developing flexible, waterproof versions that could be incorporated into clothing. Others have explored new organic materials that could expand the potential for transparent, solar-powered windows, according to Phys.org.

HeliaTek in Germany is working on its own organic solar films that are “ultralight, flexible, ultrathin and truly green.” They can be installed on building facades and other outdoor surfaces where traditional photovoltaic panels would not work.

The folks at NEXT Energy are looking to the future with their company. Their technology is designed to last 30 years or more, could earn LEED certification points, and could reward residents with less carbon pollution and a more sustainable living environment.

Homeowners can also make energy-saving improvements to their homes. Adding rooftop solar panels, geothermal heat pumps and other green technologies can help, and the government offers a refund through Inflation Reduction Act tax incentives.

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