2012 Tesla Model S Delivery Date Announced: June...
News
Reviews
Guides
Gas Mileage
Car Types

Could Your Car's Tinted Windows Collect Solar Energy?

 
1,506 views Aug 24, 2010
Follow Viknesh

Venturi Eclectic Concept

Venturi Eclectic Concept

Enlarge Photo

Back in the day, having a car with solar panels on it meant you were driving around in something that probably looked as weird as 2006’s Venturi Eclectic concept. However, today, thanks to companies like Norway’s EnSol, virtually any car could be fitted with solar panels and you wouldn’t even notice them.

That’s because EnSol has patented new transparent solar cell technology that can simply be sprayed onto an existing surface, such as a car’s windows. By adsorbing some of the surrounding light, the solar cells essentially act as a tinting system for the car as well as a power generator.

Any generated power could be used for a car’s ancillary features such as an electrically-driven air conditioner or even to top up the batteries if the car is a hybrid or electric vehicle.

EnSol is currently developing a commercial version of the technology together with the University of Leicester’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. The eventual goal is to have a cell efficiency of at least 20 percent in time for a commercial launch around 2016.

[Gizmag]





Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comment (1)

  1. By Parag Posted: 8/24/2010 10:55pm PDT

    Spraying thin film solar cell technology is a step ahead in replacing Solar powered windows which absorb energy from the sun. If this technology really works as planned, it could help the industrial settings largely where the buildings are in need of solar panels.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Find Green Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
Green Car Reports
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 Green Car Reports. All Rights Reserved. Green Car Reports is published by High Gear Media. Send us feedback. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC.