Transparent solar cells help smartphones charge themselves with sunlight

Scientists at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) in South Korea have recently announced transparent solar cells that can be integrated into the glass surfaces of electronic devices, cars and even buildings.

All components of the transparent solar cell are placed on the back side, ensuring the front side is completely transparent and does not affect the aesthetics. The gaps and metal conductors between the photovoltaic cells are eliminated thanks to the use of 'Seamless Modularization' technology, thereby increasing the aesthetics and performance of the cell.

Transparent solar cells help smartphones charge themselves with sunlight Picture 1 Transparent solar cells help smartphones charge themselves with sunlight Picture 1

In a test, scientists successfully used a 16 cm² transparent solar cell module to charge a smartphone using only sunlight.

Professor Kwanyong Seo, who led the research, said transparent solar cells could be used in a wide range of applications, from small mobile devices to buildings and cars. In the future, transparent solar cells will play an important role in the energy industry, helping us move closer to a greener and more sustainable world.

The invention marks a major step forward in integrating renewable energy into everyday life. We are one step closer to self-charging phones, efficient solar-powered buildings and cars, and it promises to usher in a new era of renewable energy that will help solve the world's energy and environmental problems.

However, for this technology to be widely commercialized, scientists must overcome many challenges. Currently, scientists at UNIST are continuing research to improve the efficiency and reduce the production cost of transparent solar cells.