02.18.21
SolarWindow Technologies, Inc. reported a 500% increase in prototyping and testing speed; a 12-fold increase in testing capacity and output; and a 20-times reduction in material costs.
Engineers attribute these record results to the company’s new "high-output platform" for lab-scale prototyping of SolarWindow electricity-generating plastics and glass for commercial building windows, transportation, greenhouses, and other applications.
The SolarWindow breakthrough was achieved at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with SolarWindow.
“2021 promises to be a breakout year for SolarWindow and our LiquidElectricity coatings, which can turn otherwise ordinary glass and plastics into electricity-generating products. We envision electricity-generating windows on buildings, self-charging automotive sunroofs, and applications in rail, marine, and more,” said. Alexandra Musk, SolarWindow VP of Brand & Business Development.
“We have an accomplished and determined management team with ample cash on hand to grow our operations, and now have a high-output technical platform to support the launch of a brand-new form of electrification,” said Jay S. Bhogal, SolarWindow chairman & CEO.
“I’m especially impressed by the scientific and engineering performance of our SolarWindow Innovation Group, whose results over the last two quarters have outpaced our development milestones."
“Our results are impressive, repeatable, and faster than ever. We are now maximizing power and size, and optimizing engineering processes suitable for manufacturing of SolarWindow electricity-generating products — all at a record pace,” added Dr. James Whitaker, SolarWindow principal scientist.
Importantly, this new high-output prototyping platform will drive the company’s roll-to-roll program for manufacturing.
SolarWindow electricity-generating plastics and flexible glass have been produced using select roll-to-roll processes – a high-speed manufacturing method typical to commercial production of tinted window films, digital displays, printed electronics, and semiconductors.
In addition to supporting mass manufacturing, the company developed its high-output prototyping platform to maximize electrical power.
Previously, SolarWindow VP of Engineering and Product Development Patrick Sargent demonstrated power with the company’s largest and most transparent SolarWindow generating electricity from natural sunlight and artificial indoor light.
The company’s new high-output lab-scale prototyping platform was accomplished under the leadership of Dr. James Whitaker, working through a CRADA in collaboration with NREL Researchers, namely Dr. Bryon Larson; Dr. Bertrand Tremolet de Villers; Dr. David Ostrowski; Rosemary Bramante, MS; Mickey Wilson, MS; and Reilly Saban.