Translucent/stick-on solar PV

[DamonHD]

Hi,

After finding out about bifacial solar panels here a little while ago, I've started looking to see if there's any such thing as stick-on PV for windows for partial shading in summer, etc.  (I thought that those Sanyo and other bifacials looked rather pretty in 'transmission'.)

I'm guessing that some of the lighter semi-flexible polycrystalline panels might do it, but are unlikely to be attractive in rear view nor lightweight nor robust (ie just like me!)...

Also, they are unlikely to be optimised for whatever spectrum makes it through one or two panes of window glass I imagine.

My hamfisted Google searches haven't turned up anything specific so far.

This would mainly be experimental/novelty value for me right now, but there might be some useful mileage in such a product of course...

Applications as well as shading an overly-sunny room: charging phones, electronic mosquito repeller, adding a few Watts to an existing off-grid system, pumping a few Watts into the grid with a tiny grid-tie...

Rgds

Damon

[kurt]

there are some stick on panels that are supposed to be just peal and stick to roofs coming soon but they are vaporware at the moment. so we will see...

[DamonHD]

Hi Kurt,

Do you mean the UniSolar laminate stuff for example?  Maddeningly about 5cm too long for my flat porch roof or I'd already have gone out and bought some and stuck it down!

But if so, that's not quite what I meant.

Rather, PV designed to let some light through like a partial sunshade.

You can definitely get this (decorative and functional) stuff in rigid glass from several sources, but what I have in mind right now is sticking such a thing, reversibly, onto the inside or outside of, for example, my large glass patio doors that in summer otherwise let in too much light and heat.

Rgds

Damon

[kurt]

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/roofing-company.html

[DamonHD]

Yes, also very interesting (and would nicely fit my flat roof, though I think triple-junction would do better, but I wrote to the company already anyway!) but still not quite right for what I have in mind.

But please keep kicking out these examples, because very soon you'll turn up something that I've missed I'm sure!  B^>

Thanks again.

Rgds

Damon

[dnix71]

Still vaporware it seems

http://www.renewableenergyworld.net/rea/news/story?id=45641

solar pv window tint (organic and half the output of silicon based

[DamonHD]

Well, you may indeed have the answer there...  Vapourware only at the moment...

I did see another very recent research grant for something similar.

Still, I'l keep looking!  B^>

Rgds

Damon

[Ungrounded Lightning Rod]

It will have to be the outer pane of a double-pane window.  The the above-bandgap part of the energy of the absorbed light will appear as heating of the coating, so you want that on the outside of the window - at least in the summer.

[Ungrounded Lightning Rod]

Make that "you want it on the outside pane".

Putting the coating on the inside part of the outside pane will protect it from the environment very nicely.

[DamonHD]

That would rather preclude it being a DIY job, or being taken off in the evening for example, if I understand you!  B^>

Rgds

Damon

[Ungrounded Lightning Rod]

It only stops half the light.  I think the thermal windows on our Nevada house stop about 2/3 and they don't noticeably hamper visibility at night.  (Half the energy is about 3db, which is barely detectable in the logarithmic response of the eye.)

[DamonHD]

Indeed, I can understand that.  And it's a nice idea.

But the implication is still that I'd have to get specially-constructed double-glazed doors, yes, which would be fiendishly expensive I'll bet!

Rgds

Damon

[DamonHD]

Lateral thought: maybe I could drape one of these outside the window(s) in question as a sunshade?

http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/products/military/armytents/quadrantdatasheet.htm

Anyone know of other weather-proof lightweight fabric-based stuff like this?

Rgds

Damon

[bob golding]

http://www.selectsolar.co.uk/panelrollandfold.php

the uk distributer of power film products in the UK. assuming half the price for getting someone in the US to buy them and post them might be just about worthwhile but its going to be an expensive sunshade. interesting technology all the same.

bob golding

[Ungrounded Lightning Rod]

They're fiendishly expensive WITHOUT the solar panel - just with low-E glass and a frame.  If the low-E coating could be made as a solar panel without a price change you'd get the power for the cost of the extra wiring.  If not, you get it for that plus the price difference (presuming you were going to install low-E windows anyhow).

That delta might be far less than the cost of a full-blown panel assembly - glass, frames, wiring, mounting, ...

[DamonHD]

OK, indeed.

Well, if we have to have some custom-made double glazing done, and it is entirely possible that some of our 40-year-old falling-apart stuff is going to need repair or replacement, then I'll see if we can put in (say) some of Schott's laminate stuff in the outer pane.

Rgds

Damon

[dnix71]

Ouch!, the rollup solar is $30 US a watt (300 Pounds/20 watts)

It says you can walk on it. Sounds like military surplus.