2024-02-15 17:11:50
inQs photovoltaic glass
Unveiled at CES 2024, inQs SQPV has been described as the “world’s most advanced and efficient transparent solar glass.” It is manufactured by sandwiching nanomaterials of various types between two 2 mm sheets of conductive glass. It can capture energy on both sides of the glass and, thanks to the use of infrared light, it also works on cloudy days and even indoors.
In addition, it reduces the increase in interior temperature by up to 44%, a thermal insulation effect that helps save energy while generating it.
Paradoxically, the first use that has been given to the SQPV in the real world is a greenhouse. Kaijō High School in Tokyo installed a greenhouse with the windows made of transparent solar panels from inQs. The purpose of this collaboration is to inspire students with technology, especially technology that helps reduce our carbon footprint.
“The inside of the product itself, everything inside it, is made from very, very easy to find materials,” inQs international director Rike Wootten told CNET. “There are no metals or rare earths, and the panel itself can be easily and safely recycled in contrast to conventional solar panels, which can be difficult to recycle due to the materials they use.”
What we do not know, because inQs has not revealed it despite winning an innovation award at CES 2024, is the electrical power and energy efficiency of its product, basic data to compare its performance with conventional solar panels. Be that as it may, inQs is already producing the SQPV in its factory.