Transparent coating turns ordinary windows into solar power generators

Chinese researchers developed a transparent solar concentrator coating that turns windows into power generators without changing their look. The Nanjing University innovation uses liquid crystal layers to direct sunlight to edge-mounted photovoltaic cells while maintaining 64.2% visible light transmission. A 6.5-foot-wide coated window could concentrate sunlight up to 50 times, reducing cell area by 75% and lowering costs. The technology is compatible with high-performance cells, stable long-term, and applicable to existing windows, offering a practical solution for energy-efficient buildings.