Harvesting Indoor Light for Continuous Electricity Generation Using Semitransparent CdTe Solar Cells for Energy Neutral Buildings

Harvesting Indoor Light for Continuous Electricity Generation Using Semitransparent CdTe Solar Cells for Energy Neutral Buildings | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Harvesting Indoor Light for Continuous Electricity Generation Using Semitransparent CdTe Solar Cells for Energy Neutral Buildings Anudeep Katepalli, Anton Harfmann, Mathias Bonmarin, John Krupczak, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9060887/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 14 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study presents a preliminary proof-of-concept demonstration exploring how indoor artificial lighting - specifically LED systems - can serve a dual function: providing illumination while enabling electricity generation through integration with semitransparent photovoltaic (PV) panels. Using cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV cells with varying visible light transmittance levels, we show that diffused indoor LED lighting can generate meaningful electrical output, even under relatively low light power densities. A multi-layer panel configuration further enhances power output, underscoring the system's potential scalability. While detailed PV performance data are provided, the broader objective is to initiate discussion on integrating energy-harvesting systems within interior spaces - walls, ceilings, and floors - as a pathway toward energy-neutral buildings. From a cost-benefit perspective, if 15% efficient PV panels were installed on just 30% of the Willis Tower’s surface area, the projected annual electricity savings would be approximately $ 0.81 mil-lion/year. These findings highlight an untapped opportunity to transform indoor lighting into a sustainable energy asset, supporting long-term building efficiency and environ-mental goals. Indoor light harvesting CdTe PV spectral loss transparent multi-panels continuous electricity generation energy-neutral building Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 04 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 28 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 28 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 25 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 25 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 07 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 18 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 18 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 18 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 18 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 13 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9060887","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":608582415,"identity":"3af07cc8-c05b-47b1-ba73-325ace6f4a0e","order_by":0,"name":"Anudeep Katepalli","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Cincinnati","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Anudeep","middleName":"","lastName":"Katepalli","suffix":""},{"id":608582416,"identity":"32c33d75-30b0-4b57-8fc5-ec5b88cb4b16","order_by":1,"name":"Anton Harfmann","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Cincinnati","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Anton","middleName":"","lastName":"Harfmann","suffix":""},{"id":608582417,"identity":"30b59695-b181-4c48-a7d0-ffb4cf60eeaf","order_by":2,"name":"Mathias Bonmarin","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Zurich University of Applied Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mathias","middleName":"","lastName":"Bonmarin","suffix":""},{"id":608582418,"identity":"c121a4a2-65a2-45a5-a22a-d4f1f915871f","order_by":3,"name":"John Krupczak","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Hope College","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"John","middleName":"","lastName":"Krupczak","suffix":""},{"id":608582419,"identity":"b32ac6a4-5ddd-4130-8be1-b72af8076226","order_by":4,"name":"Donglu Shi","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAxElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCcYGiQ8gBjNzA0TkABFaJGeAtTASrYWBQZoHzCJWi/zs5sbbtm120fztjA3MPDUMcnw3EvBrMbhzsNk6ty05d8ZhkJZjDMaSBLVIJLZJ57YdyG0AaeFtYEjcQEiL/AygFkuglvlQLfUEtTDcAGphBGrZANWSYEDQYTcSmy17ziXnbgRqOTjnmIThzDMPCDks/eGNH2V2ufPOHz744E2NjTzfcUIOQwYHwNE0CkbBKBgFo4ByAAAQkUZaLrgaEgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"University of Cincinnati","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Donglu","middleName":"","lastName":"Shi","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-07 21:38:16","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9060887/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9060887/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105564453,"identity":"de0cdbe9-5ab5-4abe-850b-e8c95427b001","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-27 12:49:36","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1860099,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"revisedDiscoverEnergyCdTePVunderLED3132026.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9060887/v1_covered_f520637f-630a-4801-9168-e6691a5fdfec.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Harvesting Indoor Light for Continuous Electricity Generation Using Semitransparent CdTe Solar Cells for Energy Neutral Buildings","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-energy","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"dien","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Energy](https://www.springer.com/43937)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Discover Energy","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Indoor light harvesting, CdTe PV, spectral loss, transparent multi-panels, continuous electricity generation, energy-neutral building","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9060887/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9060887/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study presents a preliminary proof-of-concept demonstration exploring how indoor artificial lighting - specifically LED systems - can serve a dual function: providing illumination while enabling electricity generation through integration with semitransparent photovoltaic (PV) panels. Using cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV cells with varying visible light transmittance levels, we show that diffused indoor LED lighting can generate meaningful electrical output, even under relatively low light power densities. A multi-layer panel configuration further enhances power output, underscoring the system's potential scalability. While detailed PV performance data are provided, the broader objective is to initiate discussion on integrating energy-harvesting systems within interior spaces - walls, ceilings, and floors - as a pathway toward energy-neutral buildings. From a cost-benefit perspective, if 15% efficient PV panels were installed on just 30% of the Willis Tower\u0026rsquo;s surface area, the projected annual electricity savings would be approximately \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e0.81 mil-lion/year. 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