New Energy Releases Power Modeling Estimates of Solar Window Modules

New Energy Technologies, Inc., developer of see-through SolarWindow coatings capable of generating electricity on glass and flexible plastics, released first-ever power modeling estimates of its SolarWindow prototype modules.

Engineers estimate that SolarWindow modules could conservatively produce at least 10 times the electrical energy of conventional rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, and in some instances, exceed power performance by as much as 50-fold. SolarWindow modules could also eliminate the equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by vehicles driving more than 2 million miles per year.

Recently, New Energy’s largest, high-performance SolarWindow module set a new “certified” record for generating electricity while remaining see-through; SolarWindow high-performance prototype produced more than 50% greater power than prior attempts publicized by others of comparable organic photovoltaic (OPV) prototype device architecture, size and design.

Using the independently tested and certified power production data for its SolarWindow modules from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), company engineers have since developed a model for estimating the amount of electrical energy and environmental benefits SolarWindow prototype modules may provide.

In every instance where New Energy’s high-performance prototype SolarWindow modules have been modeled for performance against today’s typical rooftop solar PV module systems, the modeling estimates show significantly greater generation of electrical energy and multiple-fold environmental benefits.

By way of illustration, the Company model estimates show that when installed on all four sides of a 50-story building in:

• Phoenix, AZ – SolarWindow modules could generate enough electricity to power 130 homes each year. Today’s rooftop systems could only produce enough for three to 11 homes per year.
• Amarillo, TX – SolarWindow modules could provide the equivalent of avoiding the CO2 emissions produced by vehicles driving more than 2.2 million miles each year. Today’s rooftop systems could only avoid the equivalent CO2 emissions produced from 49,000 to 180,000 miles of vehicle miles per year.
• Miami, FF – SolarWindow modules could generate over 1.3 million kWh (kilowatt hours) of energy. Today’s rooftop systems could only generate from 28,000 to 102,000 kWh.
• Denver, CO – SolarWindow modules could provide the equivalent reductions in CO2 emissions produced by as much as 770 acres of forest sequestering CO2. Today’s rooftop systems could only provide the equivalent CO2 reductions produced by 20 to 70 acres of forest sequestering CO2.

“High power output and meaningful environmental benefits are among the most important drivers for our potential commercial customers, strategic partners, and end consumers,” said John Conklin, president and CEO of New Energy Technologies, Inc. “We now have a model that estimates SolarWindow module performance in these key areas, and compares these estimates to today’s conventional rooftop solar PV module systems.

“Importantly, we’ve long believed in the electrical power production and environmental benefits of applying our see-through SolarWindow coatings to the many acres of glass windows on all four sides of commercial tall towers and skyscrapers, rather than relying on limited rooftop space available for today’s conventional solar PV rack-mounted systems,” he added. “Our decision to pursue vast glass surfaces on buildings to create environmentally friendly energy producing power plants shows its benefits in our latest modeled estimates.”

The modeled estimates were developed exclusively by New Energy Technologies’ engineers and researchers. The company’s internal teams modeled their calculations based on results of independent testing and certification of its record-setting SolarWindow high-performance modules by the NREL Device Performance Measurement Laboratory. The Device Performance group is one of only two laboratories in the world to hold an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 accreditation for primary reference cell and secondary module calibration, in addition to accreditation for secondary reference cell calibration under American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards.

SolarWindow is currently under development for eventual commercial deployment in the estimated 80 million detached homes in America and more than five million commercial buildings. The technology is the subject of 42 patent filings, and researchers are on track to advance SolarWindow towards full-scale commercial manufacturability – a near-term goal.