# Transparent solar panels could replace windows in the future. Here's how

**URL:** <https://ehealthforum.nz/t/transparent-solar-panels-could-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how/25237>\
**Category:** Open Forum\
**Tags:** cool-stuff, emerging-tech\
**Created:** [August 31, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://ehealthforum.nz/t/transparent-solar-panels-could-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how/25237 "2022-08-31T23:29:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eduddy](https://ehealthforum.nz/user_avatar/ehealthforum.nz/eduddy/32/14159_2.png) [@eduddy](https://ehealthforum.nz/u/eduddy)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://ehealthforum.nz/t/transparent-solar-panels-could-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how/25237/1 "2022-08-31T23:29:03Z")

</div>

Something to consider for new hospital builds?

> **[Transparent solar panels could replace windows in the future. Here's how](https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/transparent-solar-panels-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how)**
>
> Transparent solar panels are a real thing, and they're not just on paper as they are already popping up around the world.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kevin-Maloney](https://ehealthforum.nz/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@Kevin-Maloney](https://ehealthforum.nz/u/Kevin-Maloney)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://ehealthforum.nz/t/transparent-solar-panels-could-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how/25237/2 "2022-09-04T21:00:41Z")

</div>

Solar cells turn light into electricity. Any light going through the solar cells (for transparency) is not being turned into electricity. So these cells are probably not very efficient.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![eduddy](https://ehealthforum.nz/user_avatar/ehealthforum.nz/eduddy/32/14159_2.png) [@eduddy](https://ehealthforum.nz/u/eduddy)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 10:56pm UTC](https://ehealthforum.nz/t/transparent-solar-panels-could-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how/25237/3 "2022-09-05T22:56:33Z")

</div>

Interesting thought, not an expert in solar technology, but it makes me wonder, is the solar cell build to utilise the whole light spectrum or only part, and if so, could you argue that pushing it towards the UV or infrared end of the spectrum minimise the loss of transparency without impacting the efficiency of electricity generation.

I feel a deep dive into solar cell technology ahead…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kevin-Maloney](https://ehealthforum.nz/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@Kevin-Maloney](https://ehealthforum.nz/u/Kevin-Maloney)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2022, 11:33pm UTC](https://ehealthforum.nz/t/transparent-solar-panels-could-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how/25237/4 "2022-09-05T23:33:13Z")

</div>

I’ve read a little on this, but would not call myself an expect, but as far as I know:  
The visible spectrum of light is where the majority of the power is available from sunlight.  
UV is more energetic, but I think the atmosphere blocks most of it.  
Transparent solar cells tend to work in the infra-red spectrum, and can harvest maybe 20% as much as standard cells.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Blittlechild](https://ehealthforum.nz/user_avatar/ehealthforum.nz/blittlechild/32/5063_2.png) [@Blittlechild](https://ehealthforum.nz/u/Blittlechild)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2022, 2:30am UTC](https://ehealthforum.nz/t/transparent-solar-panels-could-replace-windows-in-the-future-heres-how/25237/5 "2022-09-13T02:30:33Z")

</div>

Moving our facilities towards a more sustainable future will become a requirement. Any monies that can be saved from energy generation can be put back into patient care (or even power sold back to the grid as a revenue source?) Something like this, if effective would be great considering how many windows a hospital building has.