Floor-to-ceiling windows solar power generation

Are solar windows a viable alternative to traditional solar panels?

Unlike traditional solar panels, solar windows can filter UV and infrared sunlight and use it to generate electricity. Ubiquitous Energy and Physee are two companies vying to make their solar window technology commercially available. Solar windows can be added to entire skyscrapers or as an addition to your home’s solar panel system.

What is a see-through solar window?

The technology was created by researchers at MIT who spun the development out into a company, Ubiquitous Energy, and a solar window product called UE Power. Ubiquitous Energy says its completely see-through solar window panels are "the world's first aesthetically acceptable, electricity-generating alternative to traditional windows."

Can windows be turned into solar panels?

Solar electric and wind power systems have been in use for decades, but only now has the idea of turning windows into solar panels become a reality, through companies such as ClearVue.

Does Ubiquitous Energy produce solar windows?

Ubiquitous Energy produces solar windows, including at its headquarters in Redwood City where it manufactures the glass panels. They are already installing and selling ClearView Power windows in limited sizes, and are in the planning phase for a facility to produce windows at any size.

Could solar windows change the way we build?

Imagine you could put solar panels anywhere you'd put a pane of glass. That's the promise of solar windows, which could change the way we build. For decades, generating solar power has meant installing big, black solar panels on your roof. But what if you could generate electricity by harnessing invisible light that passes through your windows?

Could solar windows help reduce energy consumption?

According to the company, solar windows could help bring the net energy consumption of large buildings to zero by complementing traditional rooftop panels. The combination of both methods could produce as much electricity as the buildings consume.