New 3D-printed solar cells for windows offer semi-transparency

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed innovative semi-transparent, color-tunable solar cells that can be 3D-printed directly onto windows, building façades, and flexible surfaces. Unlike traditional bulky solar panels, these cells offer designers the flexibility to create either slightly transparent windows or vibrant, color-tinted architectural features. The key advancement lies in the use of 3D-printed microscopic polymer pillars that act as precise optical gates, controlling light transmission without altering the solar material’s chemistry. This eco-friendly manufacturing process avoids harsh heat and toxic chemicals, enabling production on flexible substrates like plastics and foils. The team addressed aesthetic concerns common with solar glass by adjusting the thickness of a transparent electrode layer, allowing the cells to reflect specific wavelengths and produce vivid colors akin to stained glass, while still permitting light to generate electricity. These flexible solar cells demonstrated a promising balance of 9.2% power conversion efficiency and 35% transparency, making them suitable for functional windows. They also showed durability under