First and foremost, this article is about an idea. The idea is the creation of transparent solar panel windows. Instead of a huge bulky panel on the roof or somewhere in the yard, renewable solar energy could be harvested just from the windows of a home. This idea hinges on the coupling of nanotechnology and the current knowledge of solar power. It is no question that our planet is constantly growing and one thing we will always (or so it would seem) need is more energy. The completion of a working prototype using this technology could mean that stress on the current power grids could be relaxed. Another benefit of these window panels is that they would also assist with climate control inside the home. The panels would collect the heat in the form of energy in the hot seasons and create a sort of heat barrier in the cold seasons.
I found this article very inspiring. I enjoy looking up articles about innovations in the field of alternative energy. While this article discusses an unrealized innovation, I think there is great importance in sharing ideas in this field. One group working on one project can only get so far. If the project ideas are discussed publicly more ideas will be attracted to the project to help it come to completion. I also enjoy innovations that have more than one function. The fact that these panels would function as a temperature control device as well as an energy producer for homes enhances the benefits. I think this is a project that should be looked into with great interest. The questions I have about the idea are in regards to efficiency and location. Would the window solar panels create enough energy to rival a roof system solar panel? How well is the energy transported to where it needs to go and how well is it stored until use? Also, how replaceable would they be? As for location, how would these panels work in areas with varying sunlight? Since regular solar panels are oriented towards the south and angled to receive the maximum amount of sunlight, what differences would be expected from a vertical surface on more than one side of a home? I think there are still many questions that need to be addressed. Perhaps the answers just weren't discussed in this article. Either way, I think innovations like this need to reach the general public on a significantly wider scale. We might actually be able to get rid of our fossil fuel dependence if more people were concerned.
http://www.energydigital.com/green_technology/-no-limits-total-abundance-transparent-solar-windows
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