Dyes turn windows into powerful solar panels

[cedric]

Windows could be used as powerful solar panels thanks to a clever new technology that concentrates the sun's rays. The technique uses transparent dyes to capture, concentrate and redirect light along the surface of the glass to photovoltaic (PV) cells in the frame, which convert the light into electricity. The breakthrough means that there is a tenfold increase in power output compared to use of the PV cell alone.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/10/solarpower.renewableenergy

[midnight]

1. I would love to see these energy saving features touted as

an important trend in National Security. Our environment is just as important as our borders. Let's get these technologies readily available by making them financially feasable for the avg. American. Tiles, windows, water heaters that our generated by solar is hear-let's use it generously.

[gblady]

3. this is precisely...

what Barack's town meeting in Ohio concentrated on....
how our National Security depends on our change in energy policy...
he was good!

[The Backlash Cometh]

5. Like minds

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3605446&mesg_id=3605446

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. More details here

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/solarcells-0710.html

MIT opens new 'window' on solar energy

Cost effective devices expected on market soon

Elizabeth A. Thomson, News Office
July 10, 2008

Imagine windows that not only provide a clear view and illuminate rooms, but also use sunlight to efficiently help power the building they are part of. MIT engineers report a new approach to harnessing the sun's energy that could allow just that.

The work, to be reported in the July 11 issue of Science, involves the creation of a novel "solar concentrator." "Light is collected over a large area and gathered, or concentrated, at the edges," explains Marc A. Baldo, leader of the work and the Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Career Development Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering.

As a result, rather than covering a roof with expensive solar cells (the semiconductor devices that transform sunlight into electricity), the cells only need to be around the edges of a flat glass panel. In addition, the focused light increases the electrical power obtained from each solar cell "by a factor of over 40," Baldo says.

Because the system is simple to manufacture, the team believes that it could be implemented within three years--even added onto existing solar-panel systems to increase their efficiency by 50 percent for minimal additional cost. That, in turn, would substantially reduce the cost of solar electricity.

...

http://techtv.mit.edu/file/get/Newsoffice-MarkBaldoDiscussesMITsSolarConcentrator690.mov

[FREEWILL56]

4. If the product is real I will be happy to test them for them.

If that testing isn't needed because it's been done, I would like to see the results of it in addition to who sells them, what price, and lifespan and warranty info on them? I'd be curious of how many sold and customer reviews too.

[LaurenG]

6. I think this is just awesome. I would love to solar power my whole life.

Car and home anyway. :7