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HDC IControls Developed Transparent Semiconductor Solar Cell for the First Time in the World


- Collaboration with Incheon National University … Transmittance & Power Generation Rate↑

- Applicable to Smartphone, Automobiles, and Exterior Glass of Buildings … Expect to Create a KRW 30 Trillion Market

 

 HDC IControls (CEO Seong Eun Kim) developed the solid-state semiconductor transparent photovoltaic system for the first time in the world in collaboration with the Next Generation Energy Convergence Research Institute, Incheon National University.

 

 Typical solar cells were opaque or translucent, so that their applications were limited to roofs and walls. Recently, however, the world is accelerating the development of transparent solar cells using perovskite that has a special structure showing superconducting phenomena as well as having the properties of non-conductors, semiconductors, and conductors. 

 

 The solar cell developed by HDC IControls and Incheon National University is transparent and generates electric energy. It is said to absorb more than 95% of ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer and eye diseases. It is also environment-friendly technology equipment that can supply power to consumers immediately but does not damage the green area. It can be applied to the display screens of smartphones and glass exteriors of automobiles, apartments, and buildings (e.g., smart window). It is expected that it will create a new market of more than KRW 30 trillion.

 

 An official of HDC IControls said, “We paid attention to the transparent light technology of Incheon National University while envisioning the zero energy building sector and discovering future business items. We have been conducting industry-academia research for the past year.” The recently developed transparent solar cell could not be commercialized because they had low visible light transmittance and low power generation efficiency.

 

 Professor Joon-dong Kim (Department of Electrical Engineering), Director of the Next Generation Energy Convergence Research Institute, Incheon National University, explained, “The developed product has superior performance, transparency of over 50% visible light transmission, and great stability.” Dr. Malkesh (Senior Researcher) said, "Solid semiconductor transparent solar cells have more than 10% power generation efficiency in the ultraviolet region. Through this, we have realized the world's first transparent solar system driven by natural sunlight.” 

 

 HDC IControls will materialize a system that supplies power smartly by applying the technology to the windows and doors of buildings. Since consumers can produce energy and can effectively manage the temperature and comfort of buildings through controlling infrared, it is considered as one of the most meaningful applications of transparent solar cells. Kyu-heon Kim, Team Leader of HDC IControls Technology Research Institute, said, "The final goal of the large-surface solar transparent photovoltaic system is to apply the product to the windows and doors of buildings. We will realize a “smart zero-energy building” that can be operated sustainably.” 

 

 Meanwhile, HDC IControls and Incheon National University published these results to Advanced Materials (Impact factor: 25.809) and Nano Energy (Impact factor: 15.548), top peer-reviewed journals, and draw much attention from the research community. 

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