Solar energy is usually captured by dark, opaque panels placed on rooftops. But what if windows could also generate electricity while still letting light through?
This project explores the development of a new type of semi-transparent solar cell based on an material called antimony chalcogenide. Unlike traditional silicon solar panels, this material can allow visible light to partially pass through while generating electricity, making it suitable for use in building-integrated applications such as power-generating windows.
The aim of this project is to investigate how we can improve the transparency and energy efficiency of these solar cells at the same time. The student will help study how light interacts with the material, how device design affects performance, and how these solar cells could contribute to more sustainable buildings in the future.
The student will work closely with a postdoc researcher and join a supportive research team. Through this experience, the student will gain hands-on exposure to laboratory research, learn basic fabrication and testing techniques, lab-to-field transition and participate in team discussions about renewable energy technologies.
This project offers an opportunity to explore how innovative materials research can contribute to greener cities and the transition to clean energy.
School
Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering
Research Area
Solar cells | BIPV
Suitable for recognition of Work Integrated Learning (industrial training)?
No
- Research environment
- Expected outcomes
- Supervisory team
- Reference material/links
The student will work closely with a postdoc researcher and join a supportive research team. SPREE will provide world-leading lab facilities to support this program.
- By the end of the project, we expect to generate a clear dataset that shows the relationship between light transparency and solar cell performance in a 5cmx5cm device. This dataset will help us understand how increasing transparency affects energy output and will guide future optimisation of semi-transparent solar cells.
