NEXT Energy Technologies has announced a major breakthrough in organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology, scaling up production to manufacture 40” x 60” laminated transparent OPV windows. These windows set a new standard for integrating renewable energy into commercial buildings, offering both aesthetic appeal and high efficiency.
Advancing Transparent OPV Windows Technology
By upgrading its pilot manufacturing line in California, NEXT Energy Technologies is now producing 40” x 60” laminated transparent OPV windows using its proprietary coating. This milestone demonstrates the scalability of its automated slot-die coating process and marks a major step toward integrating power-generating glass into mainstream construction.
The transparent OPV windows address three core challenges: aesthetics, performance, and manufacturability. Their neutral grey coating aligns with widely used colours in North American commercial facades, allowing the technology to integrate seamlessly into existing architectural styles. The windows generate electricity while maintaining visual transparency, making them a key component of sustainable building solutions.
NEXT’s transparent OPV windows help transform commercial buildings into energy-efficient structures. These windows generate renewable power on-site, helping buildings reduce their energy consumption. They also absorb and convert infrared light, lowering HVAC demands and enhancing overall energy efficiency.
A Game Changer for Sustainable Architecture
Industry leaders are recognizing the impact of this innovation. Andy Cohen, co-chairman of architecture firm Gensler, emphasized the potential of the transparent OPV windows. “The combination of high-quality aesthetics, power generation and supply chain integration is a game changer,” he noted. Last year, his firm demonstrated NEXT’s 27” x 35” OPV windows in Los Angeles, and with the new larger format, more sustainable building projects are now in development.
NEXT Energy Technologies is preparing to install demonstration projects with key partners in the United States and Europe while working to scale production and obtain UL safety and performance certification for grid-connected applications.
Daniel Emmett, co-founder, executive chairman and CEO of NEXT, highlighted the significance of this achievement. “This milestone proves that our combination of OPV coatings and advanced manufacturing processes is working, scaling and can be rapidly deployed. It builds confidence in our path to enabling full-scale commercial production.”
Expanding Opportunities for Sustainable Construction
Equipped with transparent OPV windows, buildings can offset 20% to 25% of a typical commercial structure’s energy load. This technology aligns with global efforts to achieve net-zero energy buildings and presents a practical, scalable solution as cities and businesses push for carbon reduction.
NEXT’s breakthrough is rooted in Nobel Prize-winning research from UC Santa Barbara. The company’s proprietary organic semiconducting materials are earth-abundant and low-cost, and are processed using a high-speed, low-energy technique. These advantages position NEXT’s technology as a leading solution for clean energy integration in modern architecture.
To continue its mission of transforming the built environment, NEXT Energy Technologies is actively seeking partnerships to accelerate the adoption of its transparent OPV windows. Architects, building owners, and developers interested in collaboration can explore opportunities by visiting NEXT’s official website.
With this latest milestone, NEXT Energy Technologies reinforces its position at the forefront of renewable energy. The deployment of transparent OPV windows represents a crucial step toward a future where buildings generate their own clean power, reducing dependence on traditional energy sources and minimizing their environmental impact.