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Renewable Energy

Transparent glass containing solar cells the future of solar-powered houses?

Simon Leufstedt
Saturday, 12 April, 2008
By Simon Leufstedt
5

John Bell from QUTWill your house be solar-powered by “rose-tinted” windows in the future? At least that’s what professor John Bell from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia hopes.

He has worked with Dyesol, a Canberra-based company, trying to develop affordable transparent solar cells that act as both windows and energy generators in houses or commercial buildings.

According to John Bell the transparent solar cells will have a “faint reddish hue” and be “completely see-through.” They will also reduce carbon emissions by 50% and make “a significant difference to home and building owners’ energy costs.”

John Bell even says the house owners would be able to generate excess energy that could be sold or stored for later use.

The solar cells contain titanium dioxide coated in a dye that increases light absorption.

The glass captures solar energy which can be used to power the house but can also reduce overheating of the house, reducing the need for cooling.

He said that the solar-powered glass would be on the market in “a few years”.

Simon Leufstedt
Simon Leufstedt is the editor of Green Blog. Simon has previously studied Global Environmental Justice and is currently studying Human Ecology and Political Science at Lund University in Sweden. Simon is also blogging over at the Swedish 350 website and working with the Swedish TckTckTck organisation. You can follow Simon on Twitter and on Google+.
View all posts by Simon Leufstedt

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  • http://www.onlinedebtcollectionlive.com Online Debt collection

    What a great idea. I myself have been interested in changing over my home to solar energy but I have had problems finding people that can do the work in my area. Do you have a source for Richmond VA people?

  • http://www.green-blog.org Simon

    What a great idea. I myself have been interested in changing over my home to solar energy but I have had problems finding people that can do the work in my area. Do you have a source for Richmond VA people?

    No sorry. But you can always ask in our forum. Good Luck!

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    Great post!!!!!!!! Thanks…..

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    Thanks a lot for your post…….

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    Thanks for this post..

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