Learn about Transparent Solar Panels

Written-by

Janet Richardson

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett-Gardiner

Updated on

Dec 16, 2024

Learn about Transparent Solar Panels

You may have heard of transparent solar panels and companies such as Polysolar that produce them in the UK. These transparent solar panels provide us with a new and exciting way of generating solar energy through what looks like clear glass.  There’s a lot of research and development going into this relatively new form of solar energy generation, and this page takes you through some of the key information. With a range of applications, this could be the next big thing in renewable energy.

What are Transparent Solar Panels?

Companies that produce transparent solar panels tend to use thin film photovoltaic (PV) technology when they manufacture their solar glass, which is known as BIPV photovoltaic solar glass. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BPIV) are photovoltaic materials that are used to replace conventional building materials in parts of the building such as the roof, skylights, or facades. The material used to make the thin film cells is ideal for BIPV solutions as it enables them to produce solar PV panels that are transparent. Transparent solar panels can generate electricity from sunlight while still allowing light to pass through. The special glass that these solar panels are made with absorbs ultraviolet and infrared light and converts it into renewable energy. 

Unlike transparent solar panels traditional solar panels which usually come in black or blue, are very noticeable and are usually placed on top of a building as opposed to being built into it. Some people don’t like the appearance of solar panels so transparent solar panels offer them a solution to their problem.

Advantages of Transparent Solar Panels

The thin film technology used in these panels is designed specifically for BIPV applications, and it offers performance advantages in the following ways:

Performs at poor angles
Thin film solar cells can run at a high level of efficiency even when they are not at optimal angles for direct sunlight. This offers greater installation potential, such as vertically on buildings, without compromising the overall efficiency.

Efficiency in low lighting
Thin film solar cells can operate in as little as 10% sunlight, extending the number of hours over the year in which electricity can be produced, providing a more consistence energy yield. In addition to this, thin film alignment causes panels to be less affected by shading.

Superior heat tolerance
The panels are less affected by high temperatures. As a result, they don’t require ventilation to perform at optimal levels. In addition to this, thin film works at a higher level of efficiency over a greater temperature range. This means they get the maximum potential energy production.

Comparable costs
The initial installation costs are similar to conventional building materials. However, their additional multi-functionality makes them an economically superior choice.

Stronger panels
The panels are tough and rigid, with laminated glass to increase the overall functionality of the panels, as well as their potential for installation applications. 

Greater flexibility 
Because these panels don’t require direct sunlight or specific angles for optimal performance, they can be used on a variety of surfaces such as vertical glass facades. 

Mobile electronic use
Transparent solar panels can be integrated into mobile devices to harvest ambient light which can partially recharge batteries without the need for an external power source.

Dual functionality in buildings
When integrated into a building solar glass serves a dual purpose, being both a window and an energy generator making the resource that much more efficient.

Lightweight and portable
Transparent solar cells are lightweight and easy to transport before being applied to glass which offers flexibility for various applications, from mobile devices to small-scale energy projects

Aesthetic integration
Clear solar panels work well with building designs. If appearance is important, they are a perfect choice. 

Ideal for urban areas
In areas where rooftop space is limited transparent solar panels allow buildings to generate solar energy by making the most of their glass surfaces. 

Cost and Efficiency

Transparent solar panels are generally not as efficient as traditional solar panels and so don’t make a good power solution for residential properties. They are typically 5-15% efficient, whereas traditional solar panels are typically 18-24% efficient. Because transparent solar panels produce less electricity, they may not provide a return on your investment during their 25-year lifespan. 

On the plus side, transparent solar panels can be 50–75% cheaper to manufacture than traditional solar panels. 

The latest design from Polysolar has a layer of thin film photovoltaic embedded in the centre of each glass panel. This design costs £250-£300 per square meter, and the grey-tinted panel can produce efficiency levels of 12% to 15%. This is more than a standard thin film solar panel, but also an increase compared to the original, orange-tinted model from the company. The original model only cost £175 per square meter, but it also only produced efficiency levels of around 9%. Polystar’s transparent solar panels allow about 40% of visible light to pass through whilst absorbing the other 60% and converting it into electricity.

One of the great things about these panels is that while they are transparent, they also control glare and reduce thermal gain, which is a huge factor when it comes to reducing energy use within a building. They can also reduce heat caused by sunlight coming through windows and stop ultraviolet radiation from coming into the home. 

Polystar’s next step is to create a solar panel that is completely clear with no tinting. In 2014, researchers at Michigan State University were able to create one named the transparent luminescent solar concentrator. It sits over windows and directs the infrared light to photovoltaic solar cells at the edge of the concentrator.

However, this clear panel is only capable of 1% efficiency, meaning it still has a long way to go. For now, it isn’t commercially feasible. In more exciting news, the research and development team at Polysolar has created a perfectly clear organic PV glazing on a very small scale. 

It’s also important to bear in mind that transparent solar panels are made from organic material which may degrade faster than silicon semiconductors.

Currently installing a 4kW solar panel system for your home would set you back between £4,0000 and £7,000 while total solar window installation costs remain unclear. Given the complexity of the installation and the limited supply of this form of technology, you can expect the costs to be quite high. 
Presently, transparent solar panels are not that commonly used as they are still in the research and development stage. 

Common Applications of Transparent Solar Panels

The first generation of panels was 7mm thick and weighed 24kg. They were installed in the forecourts of two Sainsbury’s petrol stations, as well as a canopy at the Barbican Centre in London. The latest installations for these innovative panels can be found in the form of a transparent solar bus shelter in the centre of London’s Canary Wharf.

This is something that provides businesses in the area with the option to adopt the panels as their own. This is because the bus station is not only made from PV glass, but also features PV-powered interactive displays, signage, and lighting, with the excess running back to the grid. They can also be installed in greenhouses as both the roof and walls or even your conservatory and skylights. Using them in your home and garden can help to generate an excellent amount of electricity for your household appliances.

Where it's used

Polysolar's transparent solar glass has been used in a number of projects, including: 

• The roof of a cycle shelter in Cambridge North train station 
• A bus stop in Canary Wharf, London 
• A curtain wall for Gloucestershire County's Council Hall 
• The roof of a transport hub at Bournemouth University 
• A solar car park canopy at the rear of the Public Service Centre in Tewkesbury 

Want to Know More?
Have you found yourself interested in solar panels? If you're ready to take the plunge and get some quotes, head over to our directory of approved installation companies. Or simply give us a ring using the number at the top of this page and have a chat.