Open AccessSelective Solar Harvesting Windows for Full‐Spectrum Utilization
Author(s) -
Li Weihong,
Lin Chongjia,
Huang Gan,
Hur Jun,
Huang Baoling,
Yao Shuhuai
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202201738
Subject(s) - photovoltaics , photovoltaic system , solar energy , transmittance , electricity , materials science , window (computing) , ultraviolet , optoelectronics , environmental science , engineering physics , electrical engineering , computer science , engineering , operating system
Smart windows can selectively regulate excess solar radiation to reduce heating and cooling energy consumption in the built environment. However, the inevitable dissipation of ultraviolet and near‐infrared into waste heat results in inefficient solar utilization. Herein, a dual‐band selective solar harvesting (SSH) window is developed to realize full‐spectrum utilization. A transparent photovoltaic, converting ultraviolet into electricity, and a transparent solar absorber, converting near‐infrared into thermal energy, are integrated and coupled with a ventilation system to extract heat for indoor use. Compared with common transparent photovoltaics, the SSH window increases solar harvesting efficiency up to threefold while maintaining a considerable visible transmittance. Simulations suggest that the SSH window, besides generating electricity, delivers energy savings by over 30% higher than common smart windows. This is the first integration of transparent photovoltaic and transparent solar absorber into a window, which may open up a new avenue for the development of energy‐efficient buildings.