Chuo Electric Power Supports Development of "Transparent Solar Cell" and Invests in Venture
transparent solar cell
(Source: Chuo Electric Power)
On November 14, Chuo Electric Power (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) made a donation to the "Transparent Solar Cell Research Project," a research group led by Associate Professor Masanori Sakamoto of Kyoto University. announced that it has invested in the venture company OPTMASS (Kyoto City). Donation and investment amounts are not disclosed.
This project aims to create new energy resources through the development of transparent devices (transparent solar cells) that convert "infrared light", an undeveloped energy resource that accounts for about half of sunlight, into electricity. In 2019, we succeeded in developing a colorless and transparent material that can convert infrared light into electricity and signals.
By synthesizing tin-doped indium oxide nanoparticles that exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the infrared region and depositing them on a glass substrate, we achieved transparency (95% transmittance in the visible region) and high infrared light-induced electron transfer. We succeeded in achieving both efficiency (charge injection efficiency of 33%). In the future, we aim to reduce material costs and improve conversion efficiency through further research and development of conversion materials.
OPTMASS was established in October 2021 based on the research results of this project. We are working on development for practical use of transparent solar cells and heat ray shielding materials that apply this technology. In the future, transparent solar cells are expected to be used on the window glass of urban apartments that consume a lot of electricity, and they are aiming for commercialization around 2029-30.
In addition, Chuo Electric Power will support the development and mass production of this technology because of the high affinity between transparent solar cells and the "condominium DER (distributed energy resource)" and "condominium disaster prevention service" provided by the company. Explaining.
