Transparent Solar Panels: The Future of Renewable Energy?
- Sarah Lozanova
- Sep 29
- 12 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Table of Contents
One of the biggest challenges to wide-scale solar adoption is space. In crowded cities, roof space is limited and mechanical systems often compete with solar panels for every square foot. That is why researchers are exploring a breakthrough idea: what if the glass itself could generate electricity with transparent solar panels?
Michigan State University (MSU) introduced the first fully clear solar panels in 2014, often called invisible solar panels or photovoltaic glass. These panels capture energy from ultraviolet and infrared light while still allowing visible light to pass through, making them look like ordinary glass solar panels, yet capable of producing clean power.
Although current see through solar panels are less efficient than traditional crystalline modules, their applications are wide-ranging, from skyscraper windows and sunroofs to smartphone screens. Researchers are working to improve both performance and durability so that transparent solar panel technology can become commercially viable on a larger scale. With more than a decade of solar energy experience, GreenLancer continues to track these innovations and support projects that expand the possibilities of renewable power.
The History Of Transparent Solar Panel Technology
In 2014, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) developed one of the first transparent luminescent solar concentrators (TLSCs). These devices use organic salts to absorb invisible wavelengths (ultraviolet and infrared light) while allowing visible light to pass through. This makes clear solar glass that looks much like regular glass but acts as a photovoltaic surface.
“Highly transparent solar cells represent the wave of the future for new solar applications,” said Richard Lunt, the Johansen Crosby Endowed Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at MSU. “We analyzed their potential and show that by harvesting only invisible light, these devices can provide a similar electricity-generation potential as rooftop solar while providing additional functionality to enhance the efficiency of buildings, automobiles and mobile electronics.”
Lunt’s team at MSU showed that by harvesting only invisible light, invisible solar panels could generate energy without blocking views or interrupting aesthetics. By 2020, researchers in the U.S. and Europe had advanced TLSC techtnology, improving average visible transmittance (AVT) and experimenting with solar glass designs that approach 100% transparency for specific applications.
Today, efficiencies for fully transparent solar panels remain low, typically around 1% for very clear TLSCs. But, newer designs are trending toward 3 to 5% or more as materials and coatings improve.
Partially Transparent & See Through Solar Panels
Semi transparent solar panels (often called partially transparent or semi-transparent photovoltaic glass) represent a compromise that balances light transmission with higher energy output. These modules are currently more commonly found in the market.
For example, Heliatek GmbH, a German developer, created a partially transparent solar film that allows about 40% of light to pass through while absorbing roughly 60%. Their HeliaFilm™ organic solar film achieved an efficiency of about 7.2% under lab conditions for solar glass applications.
This class of solar glass is particularly well-suited for applications where some level of light filtration is desired, such as building windows, sunroofs, and greenhouses. The flexibility of designs, like Heliatek's, allows the transparency vs. efficiency trade-off to be modified depending on the specific use case.
Recent research continues to push boundaries in this area. Scientists at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER) have developed a semi-transparent perovskite solar cell with a record-breaking 22.02% efficiency. This advancement, achieved by refining the cell's composition and structure, shows remarkable durability, maintaining over 99% of its initial efficiency after 240 hours of operation. This high efficiency signals a promising future for integrating Solar Glass into large vertical surfaces.
How Solar Glass Works
Transparent solar panels absorb light (photons) and convert it into electricity (electrons), similar to traditional panels. However, see through solar panels function as transparent solar concentrators, absorbing non-visible light wavelengths like UV and infrared, while allowing visible light to pass through. This enables the use of clear solar panels in applications where maintaining transparency, such as in windows or facades, is essential.
The technology typically involves multiple layers, including transparent conductive layers, semiconductor materials, and protective coatings. These layers work together to absorb light, convert it into electricity, and ensure durability. The number of layers and materials may vary depending on the manufacturer, but the fundamental function remains the same: generating electricity without compromising visibility.
This innovative approach allows transparent solar panels to seamlessly integrate into architectural designs, transforming regular glass windows into energy-producing surfaces while preserving natural light and aesthetics.
Applications of Transparent Solar Panels & Glass Solar Panels
Clear solar panels allow light to pass through while generating electricity, and have a range of potential applications, including:
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Utilizing solar glass for architectural elements like facades, skylights, and windows, turning structures into functional, energy-generating surfaces.
Agri-Solar & Greenhouses: Powering farm operations and greenhouse structures while allowing necessary sunlight to reach crops.
Transportation: Integration into vehicle windows, windshields, and sunroofs for electric power, and use in aerospace applications like spacecraft and satellites.
Consumer & Portable Power: Extending battery life for electronic devices (smartphones, tablets) and creating lightweight, on-the-go portable chargers and smart wearables.
Public Infrastructure: Providing sustainable energy for outdoor structures such as bus shelters, walkways, park pavilions, and specialized field operations (military and emergency use).
Educational Integration: Incorporating solar glass into museum and school exhibits to demonstrate renewable energy in action without blocking visibility.
Leading Transparent Solar Panel & Solar Glass Manufacturers
Several companies are actively involved in the development and manufacturing of clear solar panel technologies. Some leading manufacturers in the transparent solar panel industry include:
Brite Solar - Solar Glass
Brite Solar, a forward-thinking company, has made significant strides in developing solar glass products for commercial applications. Their cutting-edge clear solar panels provide innovative solutions for building integration, offering a sustainable way to incorporate solar energy into architectural designs with solar glass.
Brite Solar has focused on enhancing both the transparency and efficiency of its solar glass, making it ideal for seamless architectural integration. This glass solar panel technology allows buildings to generate renewable energy through windows, facades, and other transparent surfaces, without compromising on natural light or aesthetic appeal. Brite Solar’s invisible solar panels are particularly well-suited for modern urban environments, where maximizing space and renewable energy output is crucial.
Onyx Solar - Clear Solar Panel Glass
Based in Spain, Onyx Solar is renowned for its innovative solar panel glass solutions and building-integrated solar products. They specialize in creating clear solar panels for skylights, canopies, and facades, allowing buildings to generate electricity while letting natural light pass through glass solar panels.
Their diverse product line includes photovoltaic glass for curtain walls and ventilated facades, offering architects and builders energy efficiency and flexibility for seamless architectural integration.
Polysolar - Transparent Solar Carports
Polysolar is a UK-based company that specializes in transparent solar panels, particularly focusing on building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and transparent solar canopies. Their technology is designed to integrate seamlessly into urban environments, allowing buildings to harness solar energy without sacrificing aesthetics or natural light.
Clear solar panels are often used in applications such as carports, facades, windows, and other architectural elements, making them a versatile solution for both residential and commercial projects.
The clear nature of Polysolar's transparent solar panels allows them to generate electricity while still permitting light to pass through, which is ideal for urban settings where space is limited but energy generation is still a priority.
SolarScape Enterprises - Glass Solar Panels
SolarScape has emerged as a leader in developing solar glass products designed for commercial applications. Their clear solar panel technology aims to revolutionize building integration solutions.
SolarScape is dedicated to enhancing both the efficiency and transparency of solar glass for seamless architectural integration. By transforming conventional windows into glass solar panels, they offer a cutting-edge solution that combines energy generation with aesthetic appeal for modern buildings.
SolarWindow Technologies - See Through Solar Panel Windows
SolarWindow Technologies is a pioneering company that specializes in the development of clear solar panels, particularly through its innovative transparent electricity-generating windows. The company has focused on creating flexible, thin coatings that can be applied to ordinary glass, transforming it into solar glass capable of harnessing solar energy. These advanced coatings are designed to be ultra-lightweight, scalable, and highly efficient, offering a solution for integrating renewable energy generation into a wide variety of architectural applications.
SolarWindow's clear solar panels maintain the transparency of the glass, allowing for natural light to pass through while also capturing sunlight to generate electricity. This makes their glass solar panels an ideal solution for high-rise buildings, office towers, and other urban structures where maximizing energy efficiency and space utilization is a priority.
Solar First - BIPV Products
Solar First is a China-based manufacturer known for its work in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and transparent solar technologies. The company develops glass solar panels that combine clean energy generation with light transmission, offering a modern solution for green buildings and energy-efficient design.
Solar First's transparent solar panels are ideal for applications such as curtain walls, sunrooms, skylights, and facades. These clear solar panels allow natural daylight to enter buildings while simultaneously producing electricity—making them an excellent option for both commercial and residential projects focused on sustainability.
The company also manufactures semi-transparent BIPV modules in a range of colors and light transmittance levels, allowing architects and developers to maintain design flexibility without sacrificing energy performance. With a commitment to innovation and global distribution, Solar First is helping redefine the role of glass in the clean energy transition.
Cost Outlook of Transparent Solar Panels
At present, transparent solar panels are more expensive per watt than conventional PV modules. Limited manufacturing capacity, new materials, and complex lamination processes contribute to the higher costs. Estimates suggest that clear solar panels can cost 2 to 4 times more per watt than standard crystalline solar modules.
Despite higher upfront costs, solar glass offers dual functionality—it serves as both a building material and an energy generator. This can offset some expenses, particularly in high-density urban environments where invisible solar panels can turn skyscraper facades or skylights into power-producing surfaces.
The market outlook for photovoltaic glass is promising. Analysts expect costs to decrease as manufacturing scales up and efficiency improves. Companies like Heliatek, Onyx Solar, and SolarWindow are already piloting commercial projects, while universities and national labs continue to push efficiency higher. As adoption expands, see through solar panels could become a mainstream option in BIPV.
Future Outlook: Scaling Transparent Solar Technology
It’s estimated that there are 5 to 7 billion square meters of glass surfaces in the United States, so the opportunities to use solar glass are nearly limitless. This means that the windshields and sunroofs on cars, smartphone screens, curtain walls, and canopies on buildings can all generate solar power.
“Once you realize you can do this, you can make a solar cell that looks just like a window, it really sparks your imagination,” said Lunt.
If this new technology is implemented in the glass on skyscrapers, there is a greater potential to generate a significant amount of solar energy because tall buildings have so many vertical surfaces. Also, the angle that the sun hits transparent solar panels isn’t so critical.
Transparent vs. Traditional Solar Panels
Traditional solar panels remain the best option when maximum efficiency is needed, such as rooftop systems or utility-scale solar farms. Their proven performance and high output make them ideal for projects where space is limited but energy demand is high.
Transparent solar panels—also called invisible solar panels, see through solar panels, or photovoltaic glass—shine in different ways. While less efficient, they can be built into windows, skylights, facades, and other surfaces where traditional panels cannot go. As solar glass and glass solar panels become more common, they may blend seamlessly into everyday architecture.
Researchers at Michigan State University recently developed transparent solar panels with zinc-oxide coatings expected to last up to 30 years, showing that durability could soon rival conventional modules. Like traditional PV, clear solar panels generate clean energy without emissions, but they expand solar’s reach to new applications in dense cities and modern architecture.
The bottom line: traditional solar panels will continue to dominate energy production, but invisible solar panels open the door to creative integration in places where solar was never possible before.
Advantages of Traditional Solar Panels
Traditional solar panels offer several key advantages, including high energy conversion efficiency,
proven performance through decades of testing, widescale availability, and greater durability compared to transparent glass solar panels.
Superior energy conversion efficiency with solar panels on the market that exceed 22 percent efficiency
A more mature technology that has been extensively tested for decades, which means real-world performance is easier to predict
Available for widescale implementation today due to a robust manufacturing capacity across numerous countries
Transparent glass solar panels need to be handled with more care than traditional solar panels to avoid breakage because glass is more fragile
Advantages of Transparent Solar Panels
Transparent solar panels offer several key advantages, particularly for applications where traditional panels are impractical:
Ideal for Urban Areas: In densely populated urban settings with limited rooftop space, see through solar panels allow buildings to harness solar energy by utilizing their glass surfaces. This maximizes power generation without requiring additional space.
Aesthetic Integration: Clear solar panels seamlessly blend with building designs. The difference between regular and fully transparent solar glass is virtually undetectable, making it a perfect choice for architectural applications prioritizing aesthetics.
Flexible Deployment: Unlike traditional solar panels, see through solar panels don’t require direct sunlight or specific angles for optimal performance. This flexibility opens up more opportunities for placement on various surfaces, such as vertical glass facades.
Mobile Electronics: Transparent solar panels can be integrated into mobile devices to harvest ambient light, partially recharging batteries without needing an external power source—a feature that would be highly appealing to consumers.
Dual Functionality in Buildings: When incorporated into building structures, solar glass serves a dual purpose, acting both as a window and an energy generator, making resource use more efficient.
Lightweight and Portable: Before being applied to glass, transparent solar cells are lightweight and easy to transport, offering flexibility for various use cases, from mobile devices to small-scale energy projects.
How Long Do Transparent Solar Panels Last?
The durability of transparent solar panels is improving as research advances. Early prototypes of invisible solar panels had limited lifespans, but newer designs with protective coatings, such as zinc oxide or advanced polymers, are expected to last 20 to 30 years, comparable to traditional solar modules.
Like all PV systems, clear solar panels face challenges from weather, UV exposure, and mechanical stress. Because solar glass panels are more fragile than framed crystalline modules, installation and handling require more care. However, innovations in photovoltaic glass are making these products more resilient, allowing them to withstand thermal expansion, moisture, and long-term outdoor exposure.
Durability is key for adoption: developers and homeowners need to know that see through solar panels will perform reliably over decades. Researchers at Michigan State University, for example, have created transparent solar panels designed for multi-decade lifespans, which positions this technology as a viable option for building integration projects.
FAQs on Transparent Solar Panels & Solar Glass
As clear solar panels and invisible solar panel technologies gain momentum, questions about how they work, how efficient they are, and where they can be used are becoming more common. This FAQ section covers key insights about transparent solar panels, also known as see through solar panels or solar glass.
Are There See Through Solar Panels Available Today?
Yes, see through solar panels, also known as transparent solar panels or solar glass, are available in limited commercial applications. Researchers and manufacturers have developed technologies such as organic photovoltaic cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and transparent silicon to achieve varying levels of light transmittance. While 100% transparent solar panels are still emerging, semi-transparent and partially invisible solar panels are already being used in windows, facades, and skylights.
Are Transparent Solar Panels As Efficient As Traditional Solar Panels?
Transparent solar panels are generally less efficient than traditional monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels. Because clear solar panels allow visible light to pass through, they must rely on capturing ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) light instead. Most transparent solar panels on the market today have efficiencies ranging from 1% to 10%, compared to 20%+ for traditional panels. However, ongoing research, especially in transparent perovskite solar cells, is improving efficiency without sacrificing visibility.
What Are the Advantages of Invisible Solar Panels?
Invisible solar panels offer unique advantages in architecture, transportation, and consumer electronics:
Building Integration: Solar glass can be used in windows, curtain walls, and skylights without changing the appearance of the building.
Aesthetic Appeal: Clear solar panels maintain the visual design of a structure.
Space Efficiency: See through solar panels make it possible to generate energy from surfaces that aren’t traditionally usable, like glass facades or car windows.
Can Transparent Solar Panels Power a Building on Their Own?
While transparent solar panels can contribute to a building’s energy needs, they typically don’t generate enough electricity on their own to fully power a structure—especially in high-demand buildings. They are best used in combination with traditional rooftop panels or as part of a broader energy strategy that includes energy storage and efficiency upgrades.
Where Are Transparent Solar Panels Being Used Now?
Current applications for clear solar panels and solar glass include:
Commercial buildings and skyscrapers
Bus stops and pavilions
Sunroofs and vehicle windows
Greenhouses and farms (agrivoltaics)
Consumer electronics like smartphones and tablets
Residential skylights and canopies
How Long Do Transparent Solar Panels Last?
Durability varies by manufacturer and materials used, but many transparent solar panels are being designed for lifespans of 20–30 years. For example, Michigan State University’s research team has developed solar glass with a zinc oxide layer that could extend usable life to three decades.
Are Invisible Solar Panels Expensive?
Because the technology is still emerging, transparent solar panels tend to be more expensive per watt than traditional panels. However, costs are expected to decrease as production scales and efficiency improves. Some of the added value comes from their dual purpose as both a building material and an energy generator.
What Is the Future of Transparent Solar Technology?
The future of transparent solar panels is promising. With billions of square meters of glass surfaces worldwide, even moderate-efficiency solar glass could make a significant contribution to global clean energy goals. As efficiency increases and costs drop, we’re likely to see widespread adoption in urban environments, new construction, and high-tech consumer products.
As the renewable energy industry advances, clean energy professionals must stay current on the latest solar panel technology to help drive innovation. Numerous promising solar technologies are on the horizon that could alter the future of the clean energy movement, including using perovskite as a semiconductor in solar modules to replace or minimize the use of silicon. Thus, future scientific breakthroughs will shape the future of clean energy globally.
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