Optimization and Performance Evaluation of Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic Panels for Sustainable Urban Energy Solutions

Solar energy integration in the future of rooftops, windows, and interiors of glass as urban areas grow, and the need to provide power rises. Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is a new concept, where semi-transparent solar cells can turn glass facades into power plants without compromising comfort, daylight, or styling. This recent generation of solar technological solutions can solve the problem of sustainable energy production. The current work investigates the impact of transparency levels on energy generation by modeling the optical and electrical responses of ST-PSCs using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and SCAPs-1D software. Additionally, the study is devoted to performance assessment in the building-integrated environment and offers an optimized design architecture to be implemented in practice. The simulation outcomes show that decent efficiencies of 16.41% can be acquired with moderate transparency of 31.7% which sheds light on the significance of ST-PSCs in vertical and urban designs. The paper uses cell design software to simulate and optimize these semi-transparent panels. The findings highlight the feasibility of using semi-transparent solar panels as an optimal solution that addresses land scarcity, energy efficiency, and urban energy needs, providing valuable insights for the future integration of renewable energy systems in urban infrastructure and agriculture.