Solar energy is the most abundant source of renewable energy in the world, but efficiently converting solar light into electrical power has been a challenge. Etgar and SOLRA are proposing a new solution that greatly improves conversion: turning solar light energy into electrical power using organic materials as fuel.

Their next generation of solar cells is based on thin film materials derived from perovskite; a crystalline substance that efficiently absorbs light. This technology is self-powering and doesn’t rely on additional battery power. The cells themselves can be semi-transparent and can be affixed to buildings to be used as solar windows, not just as rooftop panels or cells like traditional solar panels.

With a global push to reduce carbon footprints on an industrial and even international scale and a parallel drive to net neutrality, the use of highly efficient solar panels is a hot topic. There are several practical uses where this new tech can be applied to achieve net neutrality. One example is office buildings.  Urban skyscrapers are often covered in glass. Solra-designed panels can be installed in place of glass to provide entire buildings with energy produced by self-powering panels.