Windows power scheme to be discussed
An international team of scientists and industrialists is to meet at the University of Leicester today to discuss a way to turn windows into power generators. Norwegian company EnSol AS is to meet with experts at the university to develop its "groundbreaking technique".
The company has patented a novel thin film solar cell technology which it is seeking to develop commercially by 2016.
It is now working with experts in the university’s department of physics and astronomy to develop the new type of solar cell material that could be coated as a thin film on windows in buildings to produce power on a large scale.
Professor of nanotechnology at the University of Leicester Chris Binns said the collaboration offered an opportunity to develop a new method for harnessing solar energy.
He said of the work: “One of the key advantages is that it is a transparent thin film that can be coated onto window glass so that windows in buildings can also become power generators.
"Obviously some light has to be absorbed in order to generate power but the windows would just have a slight tinting. Also, since it is a thin film that can be coated onto large areas, it could become very much cheaper than conventional devices."
Experts will meet at the university today and tomorrow to officially launch the collaboration.
