Active energy-controlling windows incorporating transparent photovoltaics and an integrated transparent heater

Despite being essential interfaces between interior spaces and their surrounding environments, windows are often considered as being among the least important energy components in buildings, houses, and vehicles. The proportionally large window areas of man-made structures mean that smarter window design would lead to more efficient energy control. Here we report large-scale transparent photovoltaics and their integration with a transparent heater for an energy-efficient active window unit The latter possesses high average visible transmittance (>60%), low transmission haze (<7%), neutral color perspective, and excellent thermal protection, and its heating function is powered by solar energy and the electric energy from the transparent photovoltaics. This active window unit may overcome some of the limitations of conventional passive windows for power consumption, with electrical power being generated from transparent solar cells and the energy flow being governed by the window's temperature-control scheme.

Automated summary

Windows are often overlooked as energy components, but smarter window design can lead to more efficient energy control in buildings. A study reports large-scale transparent photovoltaics integrated with a transparent heater for an energy-efficient active window unit, which overcomes limitations of conventional passive windows by generating electrical power from transparent solar cells and controlling energy flow through a temperature-control scheme.