Marjan van Aubel, a designer from the Netherlands, has combined the aesthetics of traditional stained-glass windows with modern solar technology. Her newest work, titled Current Window, is a blend of colorful stained glass and solar panels, allowing the work of art to generate renewable energy by absorbing sunlight.
The organically dyed solar cells in van Aubel’s work function similarly to plants during photosynthesis, offering an eco-conscious take on a classically beautiful architectural element. The light-absorbing dyes on the window coat the tiny particles of titanium dioxide within and allow the window to convert solar energy into electricity.
The solar cells are attached to a battery contained within the frame, which also has USB ports for charging small mobile devices. The amount of power that is currently stored within the battery is indicated through illuminated diagonal stripes near the charging port.
“Current Window is a modern version of stained glass — using current technologies,” van Aubel told Dezeen, an architecture and design magazine that interviewed her about her work. “The colored pieces of glass are generating electricity from daylight, and can even harness diffused sunlight.”
According to Dezeen, Current Window can harvest up to 25 watts per day, depending on the season and quality of sunlight it absorbs. There’s also a backup battery hidden within the piece that stores leftover energy to provide power on overcast days.
“Harvesting power with an old design element really creates this awareness of energy use and the environment,” said van Aubel. “Think of all the energy you could harvest inside a big modern church or a library.”
What do you think about Current Window and its ability to create renewable energy? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Resources:
Curbed: This Heavenly, Solar-Powered Stained Glass Can Charge Your iPhone
Inhabitat: This gorgeous stained glass window doubles as a solar panel
Dezeen Magazine: Marjan van Aubel’s “stained glass window” harvests solar energy to charge mobile phones
How much does it cost?
kathryn,
They’re currently not commercially available, but artists like Sarah Hall do custom installations that can be seen here: http://www.sarahhallstudio.com/solar-photovoltaic
I love the it! Beauty combined with functionality. Think a time period style could be created for our 130 yr old home?
This is spectacular…I hope it becomes available with knowledgeable installers in my area!
Brilliant idea! Here in California this would be so great to have, in homes, and especially larger buildings, like universities, churches and office buildings.
Would they have to be East or West facing windows to gather the sun?
Thank you for your question Hope! According to research, the conventional wisdom (in the Northern Hemisphere) is that the best direction to face solar panels is south, since that is generally where they’d receive the most sunlight. However, the electricity system is not as simple as it sometimes seems, and the best direction to face solar panels may actually be west!
Beautiful!! I shared this on facebook! Love the concept…I hope it becomes mainstream.
This is a great idea!!
This is amazing! I love when technology can be gorgeous and useful!
How clever!!! I want this in my home!!!
I had no idea that windows could harvest enough solar energy for 25 watts a day. I can see why turning windows into solar panels would be useful. I might consider doing this one day to help pay my energy bills.