After decades of research and development solar power still doesn't pencil out for many home and business owners. Could a thin, transparent solar cell invented by scientists at UCLA change that equation?
a transparent solar cell made out of plastic by a team of scientists lead by Yang Yang, a professor at UCLA and director of the Nano
Renewable Energy Center at California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI). As a result of their invention, notes Netburn, "In the future, solar panels will no longer be restricted to the roof. You'll be able to put them on your windows too."
According to Netburn, "There is a catch, of course: Transparent solar cells are not nearly
as efficient as opaque ones. Yang said that by solving the visibility
problem, 30% of a cell's energy-absorbing capability had to be
sacrificed."
What the cells lose in efficiency, they can hopefully make up for in economies of scale made possible by reduced cost and ease of installation. "The good news is that the process is very economical,
and the material can be fabricated as a liquid that can be sprayed on a
surface, much in the same way that car factories spray paint onto
automobiles."
The product may be ready for commercial use in 5 years.
FULL STORY: Transparent solar cells let windows generate electricity

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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