Semi-transparent solar cells that could be added to windows to efficiently harvest energy from indoor light as well as the sun have been developed by an international team led by UCL researchers.
Can we please stop pouring money into stupid ideas? Solar windows make as much sense as a water-soluble condom. It’s the kind of hair-brained shit I’d expect to see Elon touting. An invention that is the antithesis of its purpose, dreamed up and funded by some methed out moron surrounded by yes-men and brown-nosers who is so out of touch with the world that he doesn’t understand the innate purpose of the object, nor the application of the technology
I think it all boils down to “hey boss, I patented this new technology!”, “great, let’s shove it down people’s throats, pour a bunch of money into getting this hyped in popsci magazines and online tech spaces, we’re gonna make hundreds of millions of dollars before anyone realizes what a dumb fucking idea this is.”
This is the nature of popsci journalism for sure. Combined with the startup funding (/grift, often) hype cycle… Ugly
One time I had a PR person from my school suit down in my office with me. He really wanted to hype oeut research. I was a wet blanket - probably overly so as I’m actually people-pleaser plus under-promise over-deliver which was incompatible.
I ended up kinda struggling and seeing how disappointment, almost annoyance, all I could say was ‘go talk to [my professor], he’s much better at this’
I think you lack imagination. It all comes down to cost and convenience. Mounting something on the exterior is going to be a specialized process whereas getting new windows is relatively standardized. Then add to integration with the electrical system. Theoretically this could be like balcony solar. An electric plug under a window is not uncommon. So if the cost for a solar window is not that much more than a standard window to some degree. It would make sense. Its not a crazy thing to look into at all. Now granted might as well make the exterior frame collect solar as well if possible but again that might just end up being to expensive relative to surface area. Would be worth looking into though just like the window.
IT’S FACING THE WRONG WAY AND IT EITHER BLOCKS A LOT OF LIGHT WHICH MAKES IT A SHITTY WINDOW, OR IT DOESN’T, WHICH MAKES IT A SHITTY SOLAR PANEL. THE FUNCTION OF ONE APPLICATION IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE OTHER.
Caps because I can’t think of another way to make it more obvious than it was in my previous comment.
I wonder why solar window shutters aren’t a thing.
Because the source of light is mostly up in the sky, and solar panels work best when they are mostly perpendicular to the direction the light is shining.
Sounds like what you are suggesting is a standalone solar panel mounted on a sun tracking mount above a window? Still, it would be better and cheaper to just lay a solar panel out in the yard and then install a conventional window shutter.
Also, objectively you would end up spending more money for fancy solar windows to intentionally let those precious photons seep through.
The only place I could see something like this “working” would be in a predominantly glass-roofed building where the amount of light coming through the roof needs to be intentionally limited, and the location does not have space for a freestanding or conventional solar setup. That’s such an edge case usage that I can’t imagine why I’ve been hearing this same dumb idea for the last 20 years.
Just that you’re loudness is unwarranted, based on it’s contents.
Been hearing the same shit about solar windows for the last 20 years. They fundementally don’t work. I literally cannot say it LOUD ENOUGH on ANY AND EVERY PLATFORM that people need to logically evaluate the technologies they are proposing.
If you think about solar windows for more than 10 second and come back with “that’s a cool idea, it will totally work!” then you either have a room temp IQ, or you are too young (or old) to be allowed outside unsupervised.
Can we please stop pouring money into stupid ideas? Solar windows make as much sense as a water-soluble condom. It’s the kind of hair-brained shit I’d expect to see Elon touting. An invention that is the antithesis of its purpose, dreamed up and funded by some methed out moron surrounded by yes-men and brown-nosers who is so out of touch with the world that he doesn’t understand the innate purpose of the object, nor the application of the technology
At least they’re smarter than the solar roadways guy?
IDK. The solar roadway guy was a marketing genius. The ability to sell so many people on something so patently absurd is seriously impressive.
I think it all boils down to “hey boss, I patented this new technology!”, “great, let’s shove it down people’s throats, pour a bunch of money into getting this hyped in popsci magazines and online tech spaces, we’re gonna make hundreds of millions of dollars before anyone realizes what a dumb fucking idea this is.”
This is the nature of popsci journalism for sure. Combined with the startup funding (/grift, often) hype cycle… Ugly
One time I had a PR person from my school suit down in my office with me. He really wanted to hype oeut research. I was a wet blanket - probably overly so as I’m actually people-pleaser plus under-promise over-deliver which was incompatible.
I ended up kinda struggling and seeing how disappointment, almost annoyance, all I could say was ‘go talk to [my professor], he’s much better at this’
I feel ya. “This is above my paygrade. I’m getting to old for this shiiiet.” Kick it up to the boss.
I think you lack imagination. It all comes down to cost and convenience. Mounting something on the exterior is going to be a specialized process whereas getting new windows is relatively standardized. Then add to integration with the electrical system. Theoretically this could be like balcony solar. An electric plug under a window is not uncommon. So if the cost for a solar window is not that much more than a standard window to some degree. It would make sense. Its not a crazy thing to look into at all. Now granted might as well make the exterior frame collect solar as well if possible but again that might just end up being to expensive relative to surface area. Would be worth looking into though just like the window.
IT’S FACING THE WRONG WAY AND IT EITHER BLOCKS A LOT OF LIGHT WHICH MAKES IT A SHITTY WINDOW, OR IT DOESN’T, WHICH MAKES IT A SHITTY SOLAR PANEL. THE FUNCTION OF ONE APPLICATION IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE OTHER.
Caps because I can’t think of another way to make it more obvious than it was in my previous comment.
Soooooo how about: shutters
Already addressed.
IMO solution is a ‘european tilt and turn’ window system with an inner window (tint or shade optional) and a solar panel shutter.
With drive motors and suntrackers for the luxury version.
Sounds like what you are suggesting is a standalone solar panel mounted on a sun tracking mount above a window? Still, it would be better and cheaper to just lay a solar panel out in the yard and then install a conventional window shutter.
Brosef, have you never been behind a tinted window? It’s not unusual to want to block all the light, plus, you’re not even seeing all the light.
E: intended to say “It’s not unusual to want to block some of the light”
G-dawg, have you considered that…
Also, objectively you would end up spending more money for fancy solar windows to intentionally let those precious photons seep through.
The only place I could see something like this “working” would be in a predominantly glass-roofed building where the amount of light coming through the roof needs to be intentionally limited, and the location does not have space for a freestanding or conventional solar setup. That’s such an edge case usage that I can’t imagine why I’ve been hearing this same dumb idea for the last 20 years.
I’m not saying you’re wrong on the overall practicality.
Just that you’re loudness is unwarranted, based on it’s contents.
I don’t think you really know much about what you’re saying.
Also, feel like maybe I’m being a dick.
But, you did all caps so all is fair
Been hearing the same shit about solar windows for the last 20 years. They fundementally don’t work. I literally cannot say it LOUD ENOUGH on ANY AND EVERY PLATFORM that people need to logically evaluate the technologies they are proposing.
If you think about solar windows for more than 10 second and come back with “that’s a cool idea, it will totally work!” then you either have a room temp IQ, or you are too young (or old) to be allowed outside unsupervised.
Bro you need to get out and meet some more photons
Bro, you need to learn how to substantiate an argument instead of puking up lazy versions of “touch grass”.
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