A new kind of solar concentrator can be placed over windows and generates energy from solar rays without disrupting the opacity of the window.

The material is called a transparent luminescent solar concentrator and can be used on mobile phones, buildings and any other object that has a flat and clear surface. The keyword, according to Richard Lunt and his colleagues at the Michigan State University that developed the device, is "transparent."

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The concept of producing energy from solar cells wrapped around a plastic-like luminescent material is not new. Prior experiments had poor results because the materials used were highly colored and the energy produced was inadequate.

"No one wants to sit behind colored glass," said Lunt, an assistant professor of chemical engineering and materials science.

"It makes for a very colorful environment, like working in a disco. We take an approach where we actually make the luminescent active layer itself transparent."

Minute organic molecules are used by the solar harvesting system designed by Lund and his colleagues to absorb certain invisible wavelengths of sunlight.

"We can tune these materials to pick up just the ultraviolet and the near infrared wavelengths that then 'glow' at another wavelength in the infrared," he said.

Thin strips of photovoltaic solar cells that line the edge of the plastic receive the "glowing" infrared light and convert it into electricity.

Lunt said since the materials do not emit or absorb light in the spectrum visible to the human eye, the plastic looks completely transparent.

Flexibility is one of the benefits of the newly developed technology. Even at its early stages, it has the capability to be upscaled to industrial or commercial applications at a reasonably priced fee.

Tagsrenewable energy, solar power, solar energy, Plastic, Michigan State University, CLEAN ENERGY, Energy