Windows that double as solar panels could soon be a reality following a breakthrough in quantum dot research could have an impact on the way sun's energy was harvested in the future.

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of Milano-Bicocca synthesised a new generation of quantum dots that they were able to embed in a transparent polymer(glass) to capture the sun's energy.

Quantum dots (nanocrystals made of semiconductor materials) was used in solar panel systems due to their low-cost and mechanical properties, and also in transistors, LEDs and lasers.

"The key accomplishment is the demonstration of large-area luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that use a new generation of specially engineered quantum dots," said Victor Klimov, lead researcher at the Centre of Advanced Solar Photophysics at Los Alamos.

"The LSC serves as a light-harvesting antenna which concentrates solar radiation collected from a large area onto a much smaller solar cell, and this increases its power output," said Klimov.

Sunlight captured is radiated through the LSC towards a small solar cell on the slab's edge, which increases power efficiency in a way that could have broad applications in future solar cells.

Sergio Brovelli, a researcher involved in the study at the University of Milano-Bicocca, said: "LSCs are especially attractive because in addition to gains in efficiency, they can enable new interesting concepts, such as photovoltaic windows that can transform house facades into large-area energy generation units."