NEXT Energy Technologies has upgraded its pilot production line to manufacture large, transparent, power-generating windows measuring 40” x 60”.
These represent the largest transparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) windows produced to date, demonstrating the scalability of NEXT’s automated slot-die coating process.
This advancement moves the glass industry closer to full-scale solar-powered facades. NEXT’s OPV coating addresses key industry challenges, including appearance, efficiency, and manufacturability, by providing a neutral grey tint, effective power generation, and seamless integration into existing glass production processes.
Andy Cohen, Gensler Co-Chairman, stated, “The combination of highest quality aesthetics, power generation, and integration with the glass supply chain is a game changer in the push towards designing Net Zero buildings.
“Just mid-last year, we were demonstrating NEXT’s 27” x 35” OPV windows at our office in LA, and with this larger window format, we have sustainable building projects in our sights.”
Daniel Emmett, Co-Founder, Executive Chairman, and CEO of NEXT, added, “This milestone is further evidence to an industry hungry for a solution that our combination of OPV coatings and advanced manufacturing processing is working, scaling, and can be rapidly deployed.
“It’s a proof point that builds high confidence in our path to enabling 60” x 120” commercial production.”
The company is collaborating with partners in the US and Europe to install demonstration projects while preparing for large-scale production. NEXT is also pursuing UL certification for safety and performance in grid-connected applications.
Buildings incorporating these OPV windows could generate 20-25% of their energy needs while reducing HVAC costs by converting infrared light.
