John Conklin, president and CEO of New Energy Technologies, recently took some time to discuss the company’s technology and when it might become commercially available.

New Energy Technologies recently unveiled its largest SolarWindow prototype, which measures 6x6 inches and is the largest solar module produced under the direction of New Energy's leading scientist, Dr. Scott R. Hammond in collaboration with OPV specialists at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado.

Q: Tell us a little about this new technology called SolarWindow.

A: Our SolarWindow see-through, electricity-generating coating technology has been in development since 2009.
The technology is produced using low-cost manufacturing methods, and is capable of remaining see-through and lightweight while generating electricity using both natural and artificial light sources, as well as in shaded conditions at all times of the year. In contrast, conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies can be heavy and bulky, and typically require expensive manufacturing processes.

Q: What are the primary advantages of SolarWindow as opposed to other PV technologies?

A: Applying SolarWindow to all four sides of a building provides a significant advantage over conventional photovoltaic solar-power systems. The product is capable of operating in direct, diffuse, and shaded sunlight conditions.

SolarWindow also generates electricity from both natural and artificial light sources such as fluorescent, light emitting diodes (LED), and incandescent lights in offices, while conventional systems become less efficient under these conditions, and may not work at all.

Q: Can you provide an example of the amount of energy that potentially can be produced from this solution?

A: Using today's certified power-production data, we estimate that a SolarWindow installation on a 50 story commercial building in Florida could generate enough electricity to power at least 100 homes while eliminating the equivalent carbon emissions produced by vehicles driving approximately 2.75 million miles per year.

Additional total power production and carbon-offset estimates for skyscraper and tall tower installations are currently being calculated by engineers for public review.

Q: What is the path for making this technology commercially available?

A: We plan to continue efforts to enhance corporate visibility, improve liquidity, strengthen our ability to raise additional capital when needed, and undertake corporate acquisitions, if warranted.

Q: Have you had discussions with potential partners?

A: We have discussed our module systems with major window manufactures and fabricators, as well as glass manufacturers. To advance the technical development and subsequent commercialization of SolarWindow products, we are seeking technology and product licensing arrangements with research institutions, commercial partners, and organizations with established technical competencies, market reach, and mature distribution networks in the solar PV, building-integrated PV, and alternative and renewable energy market industries.

Q: Can you provide a prediction on when this technology may be commercially available?

A:The commercialization of our technology is centered on key developments in the laboratory and is predicated upon raising additional capital and working with our strategic partners. As we continue with our development, we will be releasing more information on time to market.

Q: Is this product targeted specifically toward the office building environment, or will/can it be used in the residential market?

A: Our SolarWindow products are designed to generate electricity on glass while remaining see-through. We currently have six product development goals for our SolarWindow technology:

Commercial - A flat glass product for installation in new commercial towers under construction and replacement windows.

Structural Glass - Structural glass walls and curtains for tall structures.

Architectural Glass - Textured and decorative interior glass walls and room dividers.

Residential - A window glass for installation in new residential homes under construction and replacement windows.

SolarWindow Flex - Flexible films that may be applied directly on to glass, similar to aftermarket window tint films, for retrofit to existing commercial towers, buildings, and residential homes.

SolarWindow BIPV - Building product components associated with building-integrated-photovoltaic applications in homes, buildings, and office towers.

Q: Is SolarWindow technology currently being piloted at any test sites?

A: No, SolarWindow is not currently operating at a pilot site. We are continuing to advance and optimize our prototype technology and anticipate conducting field tests in the future as part of our development steps toward market-ready products.

Q: Can you provide some insight into how the technology works?

A: SolarWindow technology is made of ultra-small organic solar cells that combine to form a series of ultra-thin layers - thinner than human hair – and can generate electricity from light energy when applied to glass and flexible plastics. We are developing SolarWindow to be modular (similar to solar PV modules where each window will be a module).

The SolarWindow system is planned to consist of a system with many SolarWindow interconnections, an inverter; charge controller and energy storage device, if required.

Product development will address concealment of interconnecting wires in casings and trim fixtures. The system will generate DC electricity and send it to the inverter; the inverter transforms DC power into AC electricity (charge regulation to a storage device, if required) that may be used to power lights, appliances, computer equipment and other fixtures that power modern life.

Q: What is this technology’s single largest advantage that could make it commercially successful?

A: Unlike traditional building-applied photovoltaic (PV) systems, restricted to use in direct sunlight on very limited skyscraper rooftop space, SolarWindow is designed to operate in sunlight and shaded conditions on the many thousands of square feet of glass surfaces common to today's high-rise towers -- a game-changing advantage.