Researchers closing in on solar powered window blinds

Researchers at the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay recently unveiled an early model of what they hope will be window blinds that can produce electricity. Tampa Bay Online reports that scientists utilized solar panels to harvest energy from the sun and may be able to power a home.

According to the news source, the prototype is the result of a year's worth of research, but still requires further work on making the solar panels more transparent. The project was spearheaded by physics professor Xiaomei Jiang, who says that she got the idea when she began working on solar cells made from an organic polymer a couple years ago.

The news provider reports that much of the last year has been spent by Jiang and her team to expand the size of the solar cells. While there is still more work to be done, homeowners can still use window blinds to save on energy costs in their house.

Hanging honeycomb cellular shades offers individuals with a number of benefits beyond just aesthetics. Their design makes them ideal for keeping the sun out in the summer, and retaining heat in the winter. This feature requires both air conditioning and heating to run less, which can save money.