Smart Windows That Cool and Generate Power
New NREL innovation turns sunlight into both shade and energy
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have developed “smart windows” that darken automatically when heated by sunlight—keeping buildings cool—while also acting as solar panels to generate electricity.
These windows use a special material called perovskite, placed between two panes of glass. When the temperature rises between 95°F and 115°F, the perovskite crystals change structure, causing the glass to shift color—from clear to yellow, orange, red, or brown—within seconds. As the windows darken, they start harvesting solar energy, turning sunlight into usable power.
This breakthrough offers a double environmental benefit: reducing reliance on air conditioning and producing renewable energy simultaneously. Researchers say a working prototype could be developed within a year.
Smart windows could transform buildings, especially in hot regions, by cutting energy bills and lowering carbon emissions. Beyond homes and offices, the technology could also be used in cars, greenhouses, and smart devices.
By combining cooling and clean energy generation, NREL’s smart windows showcase how science can turn everyday materials into tools for a cooler, greener future.
Read full article here: https://www.uncoverreality.in/2025/10/smart-windows-darken-to-cool-generate.html
Reference:Rosales, B.A., Mundt, L.E., Allen, T.G.et al.Reversible multicolor chromism in layered formamidinium metal halide perovskites.Nat Commun11, 5234 (2020).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19009-z
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