Near-Invisible Solar Technology Expands Clean Energy Potential

Researchers have developed ultra-thin solar cells that can generate electricity while remaining largely transparent, creating new opportunities to turn everyday surfaces into sources of clean energy in Singapore.

“The built environment accounts for roughly 40 per cent of global energy consumption, so technologies that seamlessly convert buildings’ surfaces into power-generating assets are gaining urgency,” said Associate Professor Annalisa Bruno of Nanyang Technological University.

The new perovskite solar cells are about 10,000 times thinner than a strand of human hair and around 50 times thinner than conventional perovskite solar cells. Despite their size, they achieved some of the highest efficiencies reported for ultrathin devices of their kind. A semi-transparent version allowed 41% of visible light to pass through while converting sunlight into electricity at 7.6% efficiency. Researchers say the technology could eventually be integrated into windows, glass façades, vehicles and wearable electronics, allowing buildings to generate renewable energy without requiring additional land or significantly altering their appearance.