IPF installs first transparent solar panels on campus
August 25, 2021
The Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building on the campus of Michigan State University received a first-of-its-kind upgrade with the installation of transparent solar glass panels. The 100 square feet of transparent solar glass installed above the building’s entryway will generate enough electricity to power lighting in its atrium.
Similar to rooftop solar panels, the solar-harvesting system converts sunlight into electricity. However, the transparent solar panels are unique in that they let visible light pass through while picking up just the invisible wavelengths of sunlight in the ultraviolet and the near-infrared to convert into electricity. Once installed, the panels are visibly indistinguishable from traditional windows.
“Spartans being leaders and world-changers isn’t just about our students, faculty and staff, it is also about how we manage our campuses,” said Dan Bollman, MSU vice president for Strategic Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. “We are always looking for energy practices that minimize environmental strain. Being able to pioneer installation of a transformative renewable energy technology puts us on the leading edge of making a global impact.”