Researchers at Nanjing University in China have created a special clear coating that can be added to regular windows so they quietly generate solar power without changing how they look. The coating works by guiding certain parts of sunlight to the edges of the glass, where small solar panels collect the energy. A tiny test version already ran a fan, and larger windows could make power dozens of times more efficiently while needing far fewer solar cells. Unlike earlier attempts that made windows cloudy or tinted, this new design keeps them clear and natural-looking, making it practical for homes, offices, and even greenhouses. Because it can be manufactured at large scale, it offers a simple way to turn everyday windows into clean energy sources for cities of the future.

Read more at Chinese Society for Optical Engineering.

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