Israeli startup SolarOr has developed a brilliant new transparent solar panel that is modeled after the complex forms found in honeycomb. Called BeeHive PV, the solar panels are designed to integrate into building facades to serve as energy-generating windows. Each sheet is covered with hundreds of tiny prisms that focus sunlight to maximize energy generation.
The solar panels are made from durable acrylic, which can also act as an insulator. Each honeycomb cell sucks up the solar energy and amplifies it two and a half times, due to the panels’ hexagonal shape and double-glazed glass. If installed on sun-facing walls of buildings, the panels could produce 140 watts of electricity per square meter.
SolarOr thinks that the patterned design could add texture and aesthetic interest to projects. The cells are slanted within each panel in order to absorb the maximum amount of sun. The slanting is customizable as well – arrays can be tailored to particular projects and locations.
The building-integrated photovoltaic company is currently raising funds and hopes to start manufacturing the panels for commercial use in the near feature.
+ SolarOr
Via Giga Om
Great design! Where did they get it from? Jk lol, I got a blog that talks about nature’s patterns and designs and how to incorporate them into homes, gardens, etc. The beehive design works well with connecting circles which hold the most room. The sunflower head design could also work really well maybe used for the roof or round windows?
Yeah I agree, the beehive design works really well. I myself have been in the solar energy industry for a few years now and one thing that does annoy me is the lack of aesthetic pleasure from looking at a house covered up by the panels.
Overtime though i’m sure designers and installers alike will put their heads together to help homes with solar devices on, look more appealing to the eye.
Nigel Zouch
renewable energy alternative
Texas