Self-Sufficient Electrochromic Solar Cells: Photovoltaic and Color Modulating Smart Windows

Abstract

Electronic devices cover a large subset of daily life gadgets which use power to run, hence increasing the load of the energy needs and indirectly impacting greenhouse gas emissions. Smart electrochromic windows provide a solution to this through remarkable energy saving by adjusting optical behavior depending on the environmental conditions. Since the electrochromic windows also need power to run, a self-powered electrochromic panel will be a better solution. Electrochromic solar cell (ECSC) technology stands out among the available technologies by offering multifunctional functionalities. Utilizing ECSCs, energy efficiency may be greatly increased by harvesting solar energy and using it to generate and store electricity while dynamically adjusting thermal and optical properties. Looking at this emerging trend, material selection and device architecture that can store and utilize solar energy in their performance mechanism are the need of the hour. The ECSCs hold substantial potential for energy savings in heating, cooling, and lighting, making them crucial for the development of energy-efficient buildings. The present spotlight provides information on the necessary materials, device designs that have emerged so far, and their impact on optical modulation and energy harvesting and sheds light on future perspectives. © 2025 American Chemical Society.