Transparent solar panels currently achieve visible light transmission rates of 45% while maintaining power conversion efficiencies around 0.8. These devices must balance three competing factors: optical transparency for practical applications, photovoltaic conversion efficiency, and the fundamental physics of light absorption required for power generation.

The core engineering challenge lies in maximizing both transparency and power generation—two properties that are inherently in opposition since power generation requires light absorption.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including heterojunction layer thickness optimization, dual UV and narrow-band visible absorption techniques, graphene-based enhancement layers, and bifacial architectures with rear light concentrators. These and other approaches focus on practical implementation for applications ranging from agricultural installations to building-integrated photovoltaics.

1. Transparent Solar Panels with Integrated Photovoltaic and Luminescent Components for Selective Visible Spectrum Transmission

UNIV MICHIGAN STATE, 2024

Transparent solar panels for agricultural applications that enable efficient energy harvesting while maintaining plant growth. The panels integrate photovoltaic (PV) and luminescent components to provide both electrical power and supplemental light for plant growth. By selectively transmitting light in the visible spectrum (45% or higher transmittance), these panels enable optimal energy production while preserving plant photosynthesis. The system incorporates precision spacing and integrated shading management to minimize shading effects during peak sunlight hours.

CN117836956A-patent-drawing

2. Transparent Solar Cells with Adjustable TiO2/NiO Heterojunction Layer Thickness

Incheon National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, INCHEON UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, 2024

Transparent solar cells with controlled thickness of the light-transmitting layer achieve high power conversion efficiency while maintaining visible light transmission. The cells incorporate a thin film layer with adjustable thickness, comprising a TiO2/NiO heterojunction structure, which enables precise control over light absorption and transparency. The heterojunction layer's thickness can be precisely engineered to optimize light absorption in the visible spectrum while maintaining transparency across the solar spectrum. This approach enables the production of transparent solar cells with improved power conversion efficiency compared to conventional materials.

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3. Solar Panel with Dual-Sided Graphene-Coated Transparent Sheet for Enhanced Energy Harvesting

PPL NEXT CO LTD, 2024

A solar panel with enhanced conversion efficiency through integrated graphene-based energy harvesting. The panel features a transparent plastic sheet coated with graphene nanoparticles on both sides, positioned between the glass and photovoltaic cells. The sheet is attached to the back of the cells, with a frame enclosing the assembly. This innovative design enables energy capture from the existing photovoltaic cells, significantly increasing overall conversion efficiency beyond conventional solar panels.

4. Solar Panel System with Integrated Rear Surface Reflective Layer for Enhanced Light Conversion

DUPLICENT LLC, 2023

Solar panel system with enhanced light conversion efficiency through integrated reflective technology. The system comprises a solar panel housing, a transparent solar panel, and a reflective layer positioned along the housing's rear surface. The reflective layer is designed to redirect light back through the solar panel, effectively converting unconverted light into electricity while maintaining transparency. This innovative design enables higher conversion efficiency compared to conventional solar panels with opaque photovoltaic cells.

5. Transparent Solar Energy Harvesting Devices with Dual UV and Narrow-Band Visible Absorption

ANDLUCA TECHNOLOGIES INC, 2023

Transparent solar energy harvesting devices that combine ultraviolet (UV) absorption with narrow-band visible absorption to generate electrical power while maintaining transparency. The devices incorporate a UV-absorbing material with a peak absorption in the UV spectrum and a peak emission in the visible spectrum, while also incorporating a material with a peak absorption in the visible spectrum. This dual-absorption configuration enables the devices to absorb both UV and visible light while maintaining their transparency, allowing visible light to pass through while generating electrical power through the absorption of UV and visible light.

6. Solar Cell System with Transparent Conductive Layer for Optical Clarity

DENSO CORP, 2023

A solar cell system that enables transparent solar panels while maintaining optical clarity. The system incorporates a novel transparent conductive layer that replaces the conventional metal plate, allowing light to pass through while maintaining electrical conductivity. This transparent conductive layer enables the solar cell to be integrated into transparent glass panels without compromising optical transparency, while still achieving high conversion efficiency through optimized light management.

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7. Solar Cell with Ultra-Thin CIGS Layer Formed by Single-Step Co-Evaporation Process

KOREA INST ENERGY RES, 2023

A solar cell with enhanced power conversion efficiency through a novel ultra-thin CIGS light absorption layer. The cell features a single-step co-evaporation process for the CIGS layer, where the light absorption layer is formed through simultaneous deposition of CIGS and a depleted region without neutral regions. This approach enables the creation of a completely depleted light absorption layer with a thickness of 20-100 nm, significantly improving the double-sided power generation coefficient. The cell achieves a power conversion efficiency of 0.8 or more, with enhanced stability compared to conventional solar cells.

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8. Double-Sided Transparent Solar Cell with Adjustable ITO Electrode Thickness for Enhanced Light Interference and Dual-Sided Harvesting

INCHEON NATIONAL UNIVERSITY RESEARCH BUSINESS FOUNDATION, 2023

Double-sided light-receiving transparent solar cell that can improve power generation efficiency by utilizing reflected light while having excellent color expression in visible light by adjusting the thickness of an ITO electrode layer. The cell has a glass substrate, FTO electrode, Si thin film, and ITO electrode. The ITO thickness can be adjusted to control light interference and reflection for color and power optimization. This allows the cell to have high visible light transmittance and dual-sided light harvesting.

WO2023075051A1-patent-drawing

9. Transparent Photovoltaic Panel with Vertically Stacked Solar Cell Architecture and Flexible Interlayer Connection

Park Soon-young, SOON-YOUNG PARK, Jeong Byeong-ju, 2023

Transparent photovoltaic panel with a vertically stacked solar cell architecture that enables both high power generation and optical transparency. The panel features a flexible interlayer that connects solar cells in a vertical orientation, allowing the solar cells to maintain their optical properties while maintaining structural integrity. This design enables the panel to generate power while maintaining transparency, particularly useful for interior applications where visual obstruction is a concern.

KR102518579B1-patent-drawing

10. Bifacial Photovoltaic Module with Rear Refractive Light Concentrators

UNIV JAEN, 2022

Semi-transparent bifacial photovoltaic module that increases electrical output of semi-transparent modules for applications like agriculture and building integration. The module has refractive concentrators on the rear face that redirect light falling behind the module towards the bifacial cells. This allows using all rear irradiance without affecting transparency. The concentrators have optical efficiency and the bifacial cells have bifaciality.

11. Portable Double-Sided Solar Panel with Foldable Substrate and Integrated Light-Transmitting Grooved Secondary Area

Shenzhen Huabao New Energy Co., Ltd., SHENZHEN HELLO TECH NEW ENERGY CO LTD, 2022

A portable light-transmitting double-sided solar panel with improved power generation efficiency. The panel comprises a foldable substrate with integrated light-transmitting areas and a secondary light-transmitting area below the primary one. The secondary area is positioned below the primary area and features a groove that enables efficient light transmission. A rotatable bracket supports the secondary area, allowing it to be positioned under the primary area. This design configuration enables the secondary area to receive and transmit light while the primary area continues to receive the sun's rays, significantly increasing overall solar energy capture.

CN218071364U-patent-drawing

12. Solar Panel with Integrated Right-Angled Prism Bars and Light Diffusion Layer

LABN TECH CO LTD, Labentech Co., Ltd., 2022

Power generation enhanced solar panel with higher efficiency and capacity compared to conventional solar panels. The panel has a unique design with integrated right-angled prism bars in the lower section to change the path of incident light. This modified lower section feeds into an upper light diffusion layer. The right-angled prisms scatter and reflect light, increasing the amount of light that reaches the upper diffusion layer. This allows more light to be captured by the solar cells above and below the diffusion layer, dramatically boosting power generation compared to traditional solar panels. The design uses transparent polycarbonate and glass powder filled diffusion layers for durability and light scattering.

13. Transparent Solar Panel with Multi-Layered Corrugated Surface and Controlled Refractive Indices

PAZ LEVI TSEDEK, 2022

A transparent solar panel with a corrugated surface featuring controlled, tunable, and regular wave patterns. The panel comprises primary, secondary, and tertiary corrugations with varying dimensions, where the primary corrugations form a regular pattern on the substrate, secondary corrugations form a regular pattern on the primary corrugations, and tertiary corrugations form a regular pattern on the secondary corrugations. The corrugations are made of transparent materials with controlled thickness variations and refractive indices, enabling precise control over the solar radiation scattering and diffraction properties.

US2022140779A1-patent-drawing

14. Semi-Transparent Solar Modules with Chessboard-Patterned Cells and Light-Scattering Layer

DANZ RUDI, 2022

Semi-transparent solar modules with enhanced light transmission and electrical output through innovative optical design. The modules employ a unique architecture where transparent glass substrates are covered with a layer of partially transparent and light-scattering materials, while the solar cells are positioned in a chessboard pattern. This arrangement enables direct radiation transmission to the solar cells through the transparent substrate, while the light-scattering layer guides the radiation to the cells through total internal reflection. The system achieves higher electrical output compared to conventional semi-transparent modules, particularly in applications requiring uniform illumination of the space beneath the solar cells.

15. Solar Module with Vertically Arranged Photovoltaic Cells and Variable Thickness Transparent Layer

KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION, 2021

Solar cell module with improved light collection efficiency through optimized vertical arrangement of photovoltaic cells. The module features a transparent material layer with a specific thickness distribution that enhances visible light transmission while maintaining sufficient optical clarity for UV and IR absorption. The cells are arranged in a horizontal pattern perpendicular to the glass surface, with each cell positioned at equal intervals to maintain clear visibility while maximizing light collection. This design enables improved light absorption compared to conventional vertical cell arrangements, particularly for broadband visible light.

16. Solar Cell with Edge-Integrated Reflective Coating for Enhanced Energy Absorption

LEE JEONG YONG, 2021

A solar cell design that enhances energy conversion efficiency through a novel reflective structure. The cell incorporates a specially configured reflective coating that creates a mirror-like surface at the cell's edges, which continuously reflects incoming solar radiation back to the cell. This reflective surface, combined with the cell's transparent material, creates a closed-loop system where the cell absorbs and re-reflects solar energy, significantly increasing its overall efficiency compared to conventional flat-cell designs.

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17. Photovoltaic Device with Dynamic Optical Property Adjustment Using Light-Reflective Coating and Smart Substrate

KOREA SOUTH-EAST POWER CO LTD, Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd., 2021

A photovoltaic device that optimizes energy production by dynamically adjusting its optical properties based on environmental conditions. The device incorporates a transparent photovoltaic panel with a light-reflective coating that transitions between transparent and opaque states in response to varying sunlight intensities. This adaptive behavior enhances energy absorption by maximizing the amount of direct sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells, while maintaining optimal performance when the sun is obscured. The device features a smart substrate with variable light transmission properties that can be controlled by a dimming material. The transparent panel enables efficient energy generation during optimal sunlight conditions, while the opaque state prevents energy loss during periods of reduced sunlight.

18. Translucent Solar Cell Window Panel with Intelligent Seasonal Angle Optimization Through Static Module Arrangement

LIXIL CORP, 2021

Solar cell window panel that automatically optimizes energy absorption based on seasonal solar angles through intelligent panel arrangement. The panel comprises translucent panels with alternating solar cell modules, strategically positioned to maximize energy capture regardless of seasonal solar positions. This arrangement enables the panel to automatically adjust its angle to optimize energy absorption, eliminating the need for mechanical operation.

19. Solar Panel with Optical Component for Extended Spectrum Electromagnetic Radiation Absorption

RENHONG ZHANG, 2020

Solar panel with enhanced light absorption capabilities to improve energy conversion efficiency. The panel incorporates a novel optical component that selectively absorbs electromagnetic radiation beyond the conventional solar cell absorption spectrum, thereby increasing overall energy conversion rates. This component enables the solar panel to capture and convert energy from a broader spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, thereby enhancing its overall conversion efficiency compared to traditional solar panels.

CN111755542A-patent-drawing

20. Solar Panel with Transparent Power Generation Zones and Uniform Output Sections

CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD, 2020

Solar panel design for display and timepiece applications that optimizes power generation efficiency. The design features a transparent power generation area with strategically positioned power generation zones that maintain uniform power output across the panel. This is achieved by dividing the power generation area into equal-sized sections, with each section having a specific power generation capacity. This uniform distribution ensures that the overall power output remains consistent even when partial sections of the panel are shaded, while maintaining optimal power generation performance.

US2020310356A1-patent-drawing

21. Solar Panel Assembly with Edge-Redirecting Reflector for Enhanced Light Absorption

22. Transparent Solar Panel Array with Dual-Side Photovoltaic Cells and Integrated Reflective Layer

23. Photovoltaic Device with X-Pattern Solar Cells and Reflective Surfaces for Enhanced Light Absorption

24. Chlorophyll-Based Transparent Solar Cells with TiO2-CuO2 Electrode System and Ethanol-Ether Stabilized Photovoltaic Structure

25. Photovoltaic Panels with Luminescent Solar Concentrators and Edge-Positioned Photovoltaic Cells

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