CdTe Photovoltaic (Power-Generating) Glass

2026-08-13 19:41:49

Q1: What is CdTe photovoltaic (power-generating) glass?
CdTe (cadmium telluride) photovoltaic glass — often called "power-generating glass" — is a building material that produces electricity while serving as the actual glass of a building. A thin film of CdTe semiconductor is laminated between glass layers, turning facades, roofs, skylights and windows into power generators. Developed by CNBM's Chengdu Zhongjian Optoelectronic Materials, it produced the world's first large-area (1.92 m²) CdTe power glass in 2017, with a production-line efficiency of 16.18% (20.84% in the lab). It is a true BIPV product — the building envelope becomes a mini power plant.