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Scientists in Singapore have introduced a groundbreaking ultrathin solar cell that is nearly invisible and could someday turn windows, car sunroofs, and smart glasses into sources of renewable energy. Developed by researchers at Nanyang Technological University and published in ACS Energy Letters, this innovative technology uses a material called perovskite to create solar cells that are approximately 10 nanometers thick—about 10,000 times thinner than a human hair and roughly 50 times thinner than standard perovskite solar panels.
Despite their ultra-thin profile, these solar cells exhibit impressive efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. The researchers suggest that this advance could seamlessly integrate solar power into building designs and electronic devices without significantly altering their appearance. One of the most notable features of these cells is their semi-transparent, nearly colorless nature, which allows them to be embedded directly into windows and glass facades while still letting daylight pass through.
Given that buildings are responsible for a large percentage of global energy consumption, the new solar cells could turn windows and exterior glass surfaces into valuable sources of clean energy in densely populated urban areas with limited rooftop space. Unlike conventional silicon solar panels, these perovskite cells can generate electricity even under diffuse sunlight and cloudy conditions, making them especially suitable for cities like Singapore where many building surfaces do not receive direct sunlight.
The research team estimates that if produced at scale, large office buildings could harvest significant amounts of energy through their windows and external glass. In some scenarios, the amount generated could match the annual energy needs of around 100 four-room public housing apartments. The solar cells are manufactured using a vacuum-based process called thermal evaporation, where materials are heated to vapor inside a vacuum chamber, then deposited onto surfaces as a uniform, ultra-thin film. This method eliminates the need for toxic liquids and minimizes defects, allowing for precise control over the cells’ transparency.
The team has successfully produced perovskite layers as thin as 10 nanometers, with one semi-transparent prototype allowing approximately 41% of visible light to pass through while still functioning efficiently. Researchers believe this technology has the potential to be integrated into windows, skyscraper glass, vehicles, wearable electronics, and other surfaces where energy generation has not traditionally been feasible.
Currently, the scientists are collaborating with industry partners to enhance the durability and stability of these solar cells before bringing commercial products to market. They see this invention as a way to enable future cities to produce more clean energy without expanding land use or relying solely on large rooftop solar arrays.
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