An exemplary transparent tandem organic solar cell comprises a transparent substrate; a first transparent electrode disposed on a surface of the transparent substrate; and a series of interconnecting organic active layers disposed on a surface of the first transparent electrode. The series of organic interconnecting active layers comprise at least a front sub-cell that blocks ultraviolet wavelengths from passing through the front sub-cell; and a back sub-cell that blocks infrared wavelengths from passing through the back sub-cell. The solar cell further comprises a distributed Bragg reflector disposed on a surface of the back sub-cell, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector reflects unblocked infrared photons at an interface between the back sub-cell and the distributed Bragg reflector. Additionally, the series of interconnecting organic active layers are configured to allow wavelengths of visible light to pass through the transparent tandem organic solar cell, wherein the transparent tandem organic solar cell is fully transparent.

The present invention relates in general to a self-contained, solar-powered, self-regulating intelligent automated window treatment with increased energy efficiency. In particular, in accordance with one embodiment, the invention relates to a self-contained, solar-powered, self-regulating intelligent automated window treatment with increased energy efficiency consisting of: (1) a headrail with at least one solar panel, a rechargeable battery that is charged by the solar panel, and a motor that is powered by the rechargeable battery; (2) window shade fabric with one terminus of the fabric affixed to a tube and with the fabric wrapped around the tube and located within the headrail; (3) a smart bottom rail attached to the terminus of the shade fabric furthest from the tube with the bottom rail containing, at least one environmental sensor, at least one control button, at least one solar panel, and a rechargeable battery that is charged by the solar panel and that provides power to the environmental sensors and control buttons. The environmental sensors will provide information that will be used to determine when the shade motor should automatically raise and lower the shade with minimal effort from the user. In addition to relying on solar power, the automatic adjustment of the window treatment will allow for a reduction of energy consumption by the user by decreasing the need for artificial lighting, heating, and air conditioning. In another embodiment of the invention, solar power stored in the rechargeable battery of the bottom rail may be transferred to the rechargeable battery-powered motor of the headrail.

An insulating glazing having at least two panels made of transparent or semi-transparent material is provided. At least one of these panels is a luminescent solar concentrator.

Provided is a self-generating smart glass, including: a window frame, an outer glass and an inner glass, a plurality of solar panels, a first electric telescopic rod, a plurality of slide grooves which are symmetrically arranged on a top and a bottom of the window frame, a foldable plate located between the outer glass and the inner glass, a first battery, a light sensor and a control system. Two adjacent outer surfaces of the foldable plate are provided with the solar panels which are connected in series through flexible wires and communicated with the first battery. The first electric telescopic rod, the light sensor and the control system are respectively connected to the power supply; and the first electric telescopic rod and the light sensor are respectively connected to the control system.

Device for generating energy from ambient light A device for generating energy from ambient light, particularly sunlight, comprises a transparent panel (15, 16) having frontally a lateral entry surface (A) for ambient light and having laterally an exit surface which is optically coupled to a photovoltaic conversion device (250). An optically active photoluminescent structure (18) is arranged downstream of the entry surface, which is able and configured to emit emission radiation upon excitation by radiation incident thereon. The emission radiation propagates partially via the panel (15, 16) to the exit surface (U) and to the conversion device. The conversion device comprises an associated array of mechanically interconnected photovoltaic modules (200), each comprising one or more photovoltaic cells. The modules (200) are electrically connected between a first conductor (210) on an optically active frontal side and a second conductor (220) on an opposite, back side. Successive modules in the array overlap each other such that a first conductor of one module and a second conductor of a subsequent module make contact with each other.

The present invention is a window pane assembly system and method utilizing locking a locking system for easy insertion of a second window pane and an electro kinetic strip or film on these window panes. These electrokinetic strips and films have the capability to do many things on the window panes like changing the opacity of the windows and allowing certain levels of light through the window. The use of this technology can create more opportunities for creating advertisements on window surfaces, storing energy or repelling solar energy for building temperature management and energy savings. The electrokinetic film can be used with a remodel of window panes or the electrokinetic strips and films can be built into new window panes. With the ability of the electrokinetic devices to allow certain levels of light in, there is the opportunity for many more technological advancements on the window panes. The electrokinetic film may incorporate a matrix of densely packed apertures with scalable shutters, to attenuate light transmission through the window pane assembly.

An electrochromic integrated glazing unit (IGU) comprises an electrochromic lite, a glass lite, a spacer, and a sealant. The electrochromic lite can have a first piece of carrier glass, a second piece of carrier glass, and an electrochromic device disposed between them, where the first and second pieces of carrier glass can be offset such that the first piece of carrier glass extends farther than both the second piece of carrier glass and the electrochromic device along a first edge of the electrochromic lite. A sealant can be disposed between the first piece of carrier glass and the glass lite along a first edge of the electrochromic IGU and further disposed between the second piece of carrier glass and the glass lite. An electrochromic laminated glass unit (LGU) with a similar electrochromic lite can contain one or more shear blocks disposed at a first edge of the electrochromic LGU.

Various implementations relate generally to multi-sensor devices. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device including a ring of radially-oriented photosensors. Some implementations more particularly relate to a multi-sensor device that is orientation-independent with respect to a central axis of the ring. Some implementations of the multi-sensor devices described herein further include one or more additional sensors. For example, some implementations include an axially-directed photosensor. Some implementations also can include one or more temperature sensors configured to sense an exterior temperature, for example, an ambient temperature of an outdoors environment around the multi-sensor. Additionally or alternatively, some implementations include one or more of an infrared sensor or infrared sensors, a cellular communication circuit, and a GPS module.

Described herein are systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for implementing smart windows, smart home systems that include smart windows, and user devices and applications for control thereof. A smart window, or photovoltaic window, may include a photovoltaic configured to generate electrical power from incident light onto the photovoltaic window, store the electrical power, and send the electrical power to an electronics package or various electrical loads including a wireless communication system, sensors, or window functions. The photovoltaic window may communicate with various smart home system devices such as hub devices and user devices, which may include the reception of control data at the photovoltaic window and the transmission of sensor data captured by the window sensors.

The present invention relates to variable optical transmission windows and window panels (VLTP) which are used for architectural applications such as building entryway systems and windows. The optical transmission of the VLTPs is reversibly changed by applying an electrical voltage. The emphasis is placed on doors which can be placed in the field without having certified technicians. The doors and windows having these VLTPs may also have other electronic devices which provide added user functionality.