Rainbow Solar Inc. (RSi) in Pasadena, Calif. has introduced the world’s first transparent, photovoltaic (PV) glass window, which generates 80 to 250 watts of electricity.

This next-generation building integrated PV (BIPV) product is made up of an enclosed tempered glass window system and a patent-pending, fully integrated, multi-tier PV and heat insulation technology.

Up to 9- by 9-foot in size, the company says the product features comprehensive options to meet design, weather, climate and building code requirements. In addition, RSi embedded “smart home” technologies into the window, including an optional built-in electrical privacy curtain, to completely block out the already shaded glass window, and a new technology that converts the entire window into a light panel.

The window showed energy savings greater than 50 percent in a hot-house test, according to a study conducted by the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.

RSi is also introducing a modular megawatt PBS/UPS power storage system. It uses new battery technology with a projected lifespan of 55 years, according to test results from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Sandia Lab. MORE INFO.