Japan Osaka EK solar container outdoor power 3 degrees

Could transparent solar panels help Abeno Harukas achieve energy self-sufficiency?

Professor Sakamoto's transparent solar panels currently have an efficiency of only 1%. Raising this to 5% could bring skyscrapers like Abeno Harukas one step closer to energy self-sufficiency. According to Sakamoto, this level of power generation is equivalent to a mega solar facility.

Should solar panels be installed on Windows in Japan?

"Even with just a 1% efficiency, installing solar panels on windows across Japan would lead to an annual reduction of 17 million tons of carbon dioxide," Sakamoto notes. The Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has plans to install lightweight and flexible perovskite solar cells on the exterior of a 230-meter skyscraper in Tokyo.

Which companies are developing solar cells in Japan?

Around Japan, competition is intensifying on the research and development front. Major petroleum distributor ENEOS is developing transparent solar cells using organic materials to generate electricity from infrared and ultraviolet light. Building materials giant YKK AP is aiming to create building materials that integrate solar cells.

Could next-gen solar panels bring skyscrapers closer to energy self-sufficiency?

Companies around the world are working to develop next-gen solar panels, each with varying performance. Professor Sakamoto's transparent solar panels currently have an efficiency of only 1%. Raising this to 5% could bring skyscrapers like Abeno Harukas one step closer to energy self-sufficiency.