Invention:
This technology is a novel method of integrating vibrant colors into solar panels and cells without significantly compromising their performance. This is achieved through innovative optical coatings and structures that create narrowband resonances, allowing for selective color reflection or transmission while maintaining high levels of light absorption for energy conversion. Fano Resonant Optical Coatings (FROCs) provide coloration to amorphous solar cells and solar thermal panels, and guided mode resonances provide coloration to crystalline solar cells. This technology has diverse applications in the solar panel industry as it can be used on crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, and thermal solar panels. By making it possible to manufacture solar panels in a wide range of colors, this technology could enable the use of solar panels on buildings for which aesthetics are important design considerations. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) can now be seamlessly incorporated into architectural designs without detracting from the building's appearance. Similarly, consumer products powered by photovoltaics, such as portable chargers and wearables, can now enjoy a wider range of colors without sacrificing efficiency. Additionally, this technology could allow for portable solar powered devices to be available in many color options.
Background:
Solar panels may be overlooked as an option in buildings where aesthetics matter. Traditional solar panels are typically dark and uniform in color to maximize light absorption and energy conversion. However, the aesthetic limitations have restricted their use in various applications where appearance matters. Making them available in a variety of vibrant colors rather than the typical black or blue could allow for solar panels to more easily blend in with and complement a building’s design, which could lead to more widespread solar panel use. Solar panels in different colors are already available, but most are enabled by thin-film filters rather than the optical coatings used in this technology, and they currently tend to come with significant reductions in efficiency and at high prices.
Applications:
- Solar panels
- Photovoltaic
- Thermal
- Crystalline silicon
- Amorphous silicon
- Consumer electronics
- Architecture / building-integrated photovoltaics
- Automotive
Advantages:
- Novel method
- Minimal efficiency impact
- Wide range of applications across multiple types of solar cells
- Improved color gamut representation
