Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: solar, greentech | Themes: Desktop Computers
Solar power and windows coupled together are perfect technologies for generating energy. Recently, Japanese manufacturer Nihon Telecommunication Systems has come up with a way to maximize on this partnership. The company is preparing to release a solar windowpane that has integrated photovoltaic cells that will have the ability to provide power to a computer and also charge your cell phone.
These windows do not come at a small price and will set you back around $1900 per square meter. Each square meter will be able to generate about 70 watts. The power will be delivered to your devices via a USB cable. Third-grade math suggests that you will need at least a double-window with four square meters of space to power a higher-end mainstream PC.
The photovoltaics embedded in the windows create a tint on the windows which means that you will also have less heat and sunlight in your home, thus saving you both money and energy when cooling your home.
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man I love these days! Just this sort of 'era' in general. Who'd have ever thought you'd be plugging your pc into a window and then saving money on HVAC on top of that.
Well i was thinking yesterday about same thing with windows, what if you can use those all over skyscrapers ? it would probalby be its own electricity supplier... and use power of moving water in pipes to generate electricity also, and same thing with sewers ?
Tinted windows? If they could make them into safety glass, imagine throwing a few of these into your hybrid/PHEV.
Myself, I'd plug these into a battery backup/off-grid system instead of just a computer.
Yeah, its a crazy era - building designers will someday be asking whether to make an all glass PV skyscraper or use special paints that break down excess carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
Interesting idea, but I wonder why the included pictures show a USB cable. I'm no expert, but I'm about 98% sure that a USB cable can't carry even close to 70 watts.
Does this give credance to the saying; "Powered by windows!" Will Gates sue over copyright? Or just buy them out to keep control on the trademark?
Exactly my thought as well - skyscrapers!!! Although the angle of the sun hitting the panels may not get them working at full capacity, it may provide enough power for lighting inside.
I've always wondered why PV panels needed to be opaque and why they couldn't be transparent. With this technology, it may be possible to someday "stack" panels on top of each other and multiply the power output per panel area.
I guess when the day comes when the roof of your car replaces the gas tank, hybrids will become dinosaurs.
"The photovoltaics embedded in the windows create a tint on the windows which means that you will also have less heat and sunlight in your home, thus saving you both money and energy when cooling your home."
This isn't generally true... No money goes on cooling in my case. (and we do have 30C here)
But you will spent that money and energy on iluminating and heating in winter (cold sunny days).
And by the way it was written, it somehow makes me wonder - why do we have windows anyway? Less windows - less money/energy needed...