Glass Pyramid-Shaped Solar Cells (image from CASE)

Instead of bulky photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, one day soon you could instead go with a “Dynamic Solar Facade.”  The technology will include a glass front with pyramid-shaped solar concentrators which capture light, magnify it by up to 500 times and then redirect it to solar cells.

The Dynamic Solar Facade could have a 60-80% efficiency ratio, using not only UV light, but also thermal heat from the sun, captured with a heat sink.  In short, the pyramid-shaped solar cells can generate both electricity and provide energy to heat water, much like a thermal solar panel system. 

A good looking, dual-function, highly efficient solar panel system?

Yes indeed!  While CASE is still years away from commercializing the product, we could see it by the end of the decade.  That wouldn’t be a minute too soon, as attractive clean energy sources are in high demand, particularly for landlords who lease office space.   The overall appearance of a building – both inside and out – can increase rents, while saving energy and cutting down high utility bills.