This
is a feat that was once thought to be impossible, because traditional solar
panels absorb light and turn it into energy, but a transparent surface is not
typically able to absorb light.
To
make a transparent solar cell, researchers opted for a different system called
a transparent luminescent solar concentrator (TLSC), which contains organic
salts that absorb specific non-visible wavelengths of ultraviolet and infrared
light. This light is then guided towards traditional photovoltaic solar cells
which are able to trap the energy and convert it into electricity.
Not
only can this material be used for windows, but it can also be used for
displays on electronic devices, giving them another source of power and
potentially extending their energy life significantly.
Source
: Anonhq.com