Renewable energy is increasing, but one of the challenges is storing the captured energy. Battery technology is improving, but portable batteries must be transported to some piece of infrastructure (a plug in a wall) to recharge. At least two independent groups have developed materials that could free up batteries from the infrastructure by making the batteries charge themselves, as long as they have sunlight. Transparent battery material that is also transparent solar photovoltaic collectors allow energy storage that can be recharged simply by leaving it in sunlight. Decentralized power may then proliferate cutting the need for power cables, and reducing the impact of regional outages.
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“Translucent Battery Recharges Itself With The Sun” – Treehugger
Pretending Not To Panic 