Average Visible Light Transmittance Research Articles

Fine‐Tuning Thickness‐Dependent Molecular Aggregation for Enhanced Performance in Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST‐OPV) exhibit tremendous potential for application in integrated photovoltaic architecture. The reduction of the ratio of wide‐bandgap donors in the active layer is crucial for enhancing both the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the average visible light transmittance (AVT), which are key performance indicators for ST‐OPV. Herein, successful suppression of the thickness‐dependent transition from H‐aggregates to J‐aggregates in PM6 films was achieved through temperature control, significantly improving charge transport and extraction efficiency, thereby markedly enhancing the PCE of sequential processed pseudo p‐i‐n devices employing the Y6 acceptor. With ≈30% AVT maintained, the PCE increases from 6.50% to 11.10%, while the light utilization efficiency rises from 1.98% to 3.40%. Unlike previous studies primarily focused on optical coupling structure design, this research underscores the precise control of molecular aggregation behavior in the active layer material, demonstrating the innovativeness of material and structural design and offering new avenues and methodologies for the development of future semitransparent photovoltaic materials.

Rapid annealing obtained ITO films with both extremely low infrared emissivity and high visible light transmission for energy-efficient window applications

Energy-efficient windows are essential for modern buildings, because they can greatly save the energy consumed for heating and cooling. The functionality of energy-efficient windows is realized through coating the glass with a transparent conductive film (TCF), which possesses both low infrared emissivity and high visible light transmission. However, fabricating high quality TCFs with sufficient properties for energy-efficient window applications is still very challenging. Under this context, we had tried to optimize the properties of indium tin oxide (ITO) films, that is one of the most widely used TCFs, through a combination of room temperature sputtering and post-annealing. Particularly, we had thoroughly investigated how the microstructure, morphology, and optoelectronic properties of ITO films changed after post-annealing. Our findings show that ITO films annealed using rapid annealing (RA) at high temperatures exhibit superior crystallinity, smoother surfaces and enhanced optoelectronic properties compared to those annealed using conventional thermal annealing (CTA). Notably, among all the ITO films prepared under different conditions, the one annealed at 700 °C through RA shows the lowest infrared emissivity of 0.14, and highest figure of merit value of 128.34, that is obtained with an average visible light transmittance of 86.42% and a resistivity of 1.94 × 10−4 Ω⸱cm. This indicates that ITO films prepared via RA are promising candidates for use in energy-efficient window applications. Furthermore, the adherence of the infrared emissivity and resistivity results to the Hagen-Rubens theory, particularly as the resistivity is low, confirms the reliability of our experiments and highlights the excellent conductivity of ITO films fabricated in this study.

Defect passivation engineering for achieving 4.29% light utilization efficiency MA-free wide-bandgap semi-transparent perovskite solar cells

Wide-bandgap perovskite materials are a great candidate for semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs) due to their tunable bandgap, outstanding transparency, and excellent photovoltaic performance. Though Br-rich perovskite can widen the bandgap, Br influences the crystallization dynamic speed leaving small perovskite grain sizes and high defects. Surface passivation engineering has been one of the best choices to suppress defects caused by the rapid crystallization of Br-rich perovskites. Herein, we applied MA-free perovskite as a light absorber because of the erratic thermal aging of MA-containing perovskites and selected phenethylammonium iodide (PEAI) and 4-trifluoro phenylethylammonium iodide (CF3PEAI) as passivation materials for improving the performance of opaque PSCs and ST-PSCs. Consequently, CF3PEA possesses a larger dipole moment. It has been demonstrated to exhibit a stronger binding energy with the substrate than PEA by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This enhanced molecular interaction underpins the performance improvements in our solar cells, which manifests as an inverted planar structure opaque PSCs with 1.78 eV bandgap achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.09 % with excellent stability. A PCE of 17.17 % with 25 % average visible-light transmittance (AVT) and 4.29 % light utilization efficiency (LUE) of ST-PSCs is achieved by further optimizing the fabrication process of the buffer layer for protecting the perovskites from the damage of ITO sputter. Meanwhile, a four-terminal tandem solar cell with ST-PSC and silicon-based passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) obtains a PCE of 26.28 %. This work provides a feasible way to fabricate high-performance ST-PSCs with limited materials and preparation conditions.

Fabrication of Low-Emissivity Glass with Antibacterial Properties by Coating Cu/AZO Thin Films

This study explores the feasibility of using Cu/AZO thin films as low-emissivity materials with antibacterial properties, fabricated using the linear sputtering method. The linear sputtering technique deposits thin films onto continuous substrates, offering high throughput, uniform coatings, and precise control over film properties. In this research, Cu/AZO thin films underwent either vacuum annealing or hydrogen plasma annealing treatments. The Cu layer imparts antibacterial properties, while the AZO layer primarily provides thermal insulation. Experimental results show that annealing treatments enhance both photoelectric performance and antibacterial capability. Annealed Cu/AZO films exhibit lower resistivity and emissivity. Among the samples, those subjected to vacuum annealing at 400 °C are most suitable for low-emissivity applications, with an average visible light transmittance of 60%, an emissivity of 0.16, and an antibacterial activity value of 8.8. The Cu/AZO films proposed in this study effectively combine antibacterial and thermal insulation properties, making them relevant for the field of green materials.

Performance investigation of solution-processed semi-transparent perovskite solar cells in building sectors

Semi-transparent perovskite solar cell (PSC) windows have received much attention from scholars due to their remarkable power generation capacity and thermal insulation performance. However, considering the complexity of their fabrication process, and the significant decrease in power generation efficiency when scaling up to large-sized solar modules. To solve the above problems, this study developed a scalable production technological process to prepare translucent PSC modules, in which large-area chalcogenide thin films were prepared by a scratch-coating method. The prepared PSC module has an average visible light transmittance of 20.1 % and shows a maximum power conversion efficiency of 3.92 %. Experimental tests were conducted to investigate its photo-thermal regulation performance concerning the existing common window. The results show that the newly developed photovoltaic window reduces the indoor air temperature by 1.4 °C while the illuminance is reduced by about 59.2 % compared to the common window. A further simulation is performed by Energyplus, with a conclusion that PSC windows can decrease glare probability by 24.7 %–45.7 %, diminish building energy usage by 26.6 %–59.6 %, and achieve up to 469.9 kWh power generation in Harbin, China. The investigation of this paper paves the technical and foundational way for the large-scale application of PSC in building sectors.

Initializing Compression Stress to Stabilize the Phase Homogeneity in Bifacial Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells

AbstractSemitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST‐PSCs) hold great promise for various commercial applications, including building integrated photovoltaics and tandem solar cells. The all‐inorganic perovskite, known for its outstanding optical transparency and thermal stability, emerges as a top contender for ST‐PSCs. However, challenges persist due to phase segregation, which hampers charge carrier transport and operational stability. In this study, an approach is proposed to address these challenges by employing strain engineering to reconstruct the perovskite texture, eliminating inhomogeneities within the perovskite film. The crucial role of compressive strain in stabilizing lattice rigidity and suppressing light‐induced ion migration is demonstrated. Furthermore, a transparent light‐harvesting architecture is devised utilizing a sandwiched layer of gold embedded between MoO3. This design enhances power generation by efficiently harnessing incident light from both the front and rear panel surfaces. Therefore, bifacial ST‐PSCs achieve an equivalent efficiency (ηeq) of 13.97% with an average visible light transmittance of 41.58%, yielding an outstanding light utilization efficiency of up to 5.8%. This research not only advances the understanding of perovskite material phase‐segregation behavior but also introduces an effective strategy for enhancing optical gain without compromising the semitransparent characteristics.

Combined effects of substrate temperature and post annealing temperature on structural, optical and electrical properties of Sb-doped SnO2 films

Sb-doped SnO2 (ATO) films have received extensive attention as transparent conductive films, but there is still a lack of in-depth and systematic study on combined effects of substrate temperature (Ts) and annealing temperature (Ta) on their transparent conductive properties. In this study, ATO films were prepared using RF magnetron sputtering at RT∼400 ℃ and subsequently annealed at 200–1000 ℃. The results show that the conductive properties of the films enhance (with a decrease in resistivity from 1.15×10-1 to 2.15×10-3 Ω•cm) and the average visible-light transmittance (TVis) decreases (90.16 → 38.24%) with increase of Ts. With the increase of Ta, the conductive properties of the films prepared at different Ts tend to first enhance and then degrade, and the TVis basically shows a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. After annealing at 600 ℃, the films prepared at RT and 100 ℃ can achieve better comprehensive properties (resistivity of 2.50×10-3 and 1.64×10-3 Ω•cm, carrier concentration of 3.35×1020 and 4.93×1020 cm-3, mobility of 7.73 and 7.76 cm2/V•s, sheet resistance of 84 and 55 Ω/sq., and TVis of 86.63 and 79.50%). In order to explore the intrinsic mechanism of the optical and electrical performance of ATO films changing with Ts and Ta, the preferred orientation, crystallinity, and stress state of the films were analyzed by XRD, and their surface morphology was observed by SEM. Meanwhile, the chemical states of Sn, O and Sb as well as Sb content in the films were analyzed by XPS, and their lattice vibration modes of the film were studied by Raman spectra. Finally, the process-structure-properties correlations were established for the ATO films.

Improved performance of ternary organic solar cells based on both bulk and pseudo-planar heterojunction active layer

The high photovoltaic conversion efficiency (PCE) of ternary organic solar cells (OSCs) based on PTB7-Th, PC71BM and IEICO-4F material is obtained, the short-circuit current density (J SC), fill factor (FF), and open-circuit voltage is 25.90 mA cm−2, 73.20% and 0.71 V, respectively. PCE is as high as 13.53%. It is the highest PCE of ternary OSCs based on PTB7-Th, PC71BM and IEICO-4F materials for all we know. The narrow bandgap material of IEICO-4F is deposited on PTB7-Th:PC71BM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) by layer-by-layer process. We constructed the dual bandgap active layer both BHJ and pseudo-planar heterojunction (P-PHJ), it could be defined as ternary BHJ/P-PHJ of OSCs. This type of OSCs is not only the complementary bandgap material of the active layer, but also increasing the donor/acceptor (D/A) interface. The excitons generation and collection of the device are increased leading a higher J SC and FF. The semitransparent OSCs (ST-OSCs) is prepared by varying the thickness of Ag electrode and PCE can reach 9.70%, and the average visible light transmittance and light use efficiency of ST-OSCs are improved effectively.

In-situ defect passivation assisted three-step printing of efficient and stable formamidine-lead bromide solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) emerge as the most promising photovoltaics (PV) for their high performance and potential convenient cost-effective production routes comparing to the sophomore PV technologies. The printed PSCs with simplified device architecture and fabrication procedures could further enhance the competitive strength of PSC technology. In this work, we present an in-situ defect passivation (ISDP) assisted full-printing of high performance formamidine-lead bromide (FAPbBr3) PSCs. Only three rapid printing steps are involved for electron transporting layer (ETL), perovskite and carbon to form a complete solar cell on the low-cost fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate. Long-chain polymer monomethyl ether polyethylene glycol is particularly utilized as the ISDP passivator, leading to conformal coating on the rough FTO and defect passivation for both ETL and perovskite during printing. A high efficiency of 10.85% (certified 10.14%) and a high Voc up to 1.57 V are achieved for the printed device. The unencapsulated PSCs maintain above 90% of the initial efficiency after continuously heating at 85 °C for 1000 h and over 80% of the efficiency after the maximum power point tracking for 3500 h. The fully printed semitransparent PSCs with carbon grids (CGs) show average visible light transmittance over 33% and an efficiency of 8.81%.

Green Material Chlorin e6 Passivation Improves the Efficiency of Perovskite Solar Cells

Functional passivation agents have been shown to effectively optimize the crystallization process and passivate defects on the surface and grain boundaries. People have conducted extensive research on the passivation mechanisms of various passivation agents to obtain more effective passivation agents. Researchers are gradually focusing on natural ingredients in the search for suitable passivation agents due to the wide variety, green color, and ease of production. As a result, the natural chlorophyll component chlorin e6 (CE‐6) is first combined with perovskite solar cells (PSCs) to improve their performance. Following the incorporation of CE‐6 into the perovskite layer, various functional groups of CE‐6 are used to effectively reduce traps on the perovskite surface, suppress charge recombination at the interface, improve carrier transfer rate and carrier extraction efficiency, and ultimately improve efficiency. The optimal device achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.14% and maintains its initial PCE of 84% after being stored in a room‐temperature air environment for 500 h. Furthermore, semitransparent PSC (ST‐PSC) is made with 13.33% PCE and 5.53% average visible light transmittance. The findings show that natural material CE‐6 performs well in the perovskite layer and confirms the promising prospects for optimizing ST‐PSC.

Doping with KBr to Achieve High-Performance CsPbBr3 Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells.

Wide-bandgap semitransparent perovskite photovoltaics are emerging as one of the ideal candidates for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). However, surface defects in inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite prepared by vapor deposition severely limit the optoelectronic performance of perovskite solar cells. To address this issue, a strategy of doping a trace amount of KBr into perovskite by vapor deposition is adopted, effectively improving the quality of the film, reducing surface defect concentration, and enhancing the transportation and extraction of charge carriers. Simultaneously, fully physical vapor deposition technology is employed to fabricate perovskite solar cells with an average visible light transmittance of 44%. These devices exhibited an ultrahigh open-circuit voltage of 1.55 V and a superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.28%, demonstrating excellent moisture and heat resistance. Moreover, the corresponding 5 cm × 5 cm modules achieve a PCE of 5.35% with great thermal insulation capability. This work provides an approach for fabricating highly efficient all-inorganic perovskite solar cells with high average visible light transmittance, demonstrating new insights into their application in building-integrated photovoltaics.

Rapid preparation of high strength, high stretchability, transparent, self-healing conductive elastomers for strain sensors by photo-initiated copolymerization of two novel polymerizable deep eutectic solvents

Deep eutectic ionic conductive elastomer (DEICE) has become the focus of the development of new flexible ionic conductors due to its green and efficient preparation process and excellent electrical properties, which has been widely used in wearable devices, nanogenerators, 3D printing and other hot fields. However, due to the limitations of the existing polymerizable deep eutectic solvents (PDES) types, it is still challenging to rapidly prepare DEICE with excellent tensile properties and strength. In this study, we prepared DEICE by rapid in-situ photoinitiated copolymerization of two novel PDES: 2-carboxyethyl acrylate (CEA)/Choline chloride (ChCl) and N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)acrylamide (HEAA)/ChCl. The CEA-type PDES constitutes a soft segment, and the HEAA-type PDES constitutes a hard segment. It was found that the DEICE with a ratio of CEA type PDES to HEAA type PDES of 1:1 (monomer mass ratio) exhibits both excellent fracture strength and stretchability (5.08 MPa, 1050 %) due to the appropriate strong hydrogen bond crosslinking of the hard segment and the chain entanglement of the soft segment. In addition, the elastomer also has excellent optical properties (average transmittance of visible light >90 %), good conductivity (6.42 × 10−4 S/m), self-healing ability, high sensitivity (GF = 2.22), excellent linearity sensing ability (R2 = 0.999) and self-healing sensing ability. The sensor constructed by the elastomer can recognize human motions of various fineness, which proves its potential as a wearable device. Finally, the two new types of PDES proposed in this work also greatly broaden the existing PDES types, which provides the possibility for the future preparation research of DEICE with higher performance.

A novel dual-functional flexible dimming film for smart window applications: Energy saving and self-cleaning performance

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) is a promising candidate for electrically controlled smart window applications because of its energy efficiency, convenience and other advantages. However, its flexibility and heat management capabilities are not effectively evaluated. Herein, a flexible dual-functional intelligent window based on PDLC composite is designed for this purpose, which integrates Ag nanowires as a transparent conductive electrode (TCE) and Tm3+/Yb3+-CsxWO3 (Tm3+/Yb3+-CWO) as a near-infrared shielding and air purification layer. Specifically, the as-made smart window can control the transmission of both visible and near-infrared light. Furtherly, it also possesses self-cleaning capability. A series of characterization has been carried out. The resistance of the Ag nanowire layer is measured to be 22.47 Ω/sq and the transmittance reaches 78.8 %. Flexibility test shows that when the bending radius is 4 mm, the resistance value of the TCE changes only 6 % after 500 repetitions, indicating good flexibility and stability. The spectrum examination reveals that the near-infrared light shielding efficiency achieves 80 % and the average transmittance of visible light is 76.7 %. The degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) is used to evaluate the purification performance and result shows that the degradation percentage reaches 70 % in 120 min. Heat-regulation simulation test discloses that the indoor temperature can be decreased by 10 °C. Compared to traditional PDLC windows, the designed flexible window has broader application prospects in areas of architecture, vehicle glass, military stealth materials and so on.

Development of semitransparent CdTe polycrystalline thin-film solar cells modified with a CuCl layer for BIPV

In the current context of renewable energy development, CdTe polycrystalline thin-film solar cells are expected to have broad prospects in fields such as Building Integrated Photovoltaics. It is crucial to fabricate sub-micron-thick, semitransparent CdTe solar cells for photovoltaic glass curtain walls that require a certain degree of transparency. As a result, we have employeded a high-quality deposition technique for sub-micron-thick CdTe polycrystalline films. We have analyzed the influence of post-treatment processes on the film properties and investigated the impact of solution-based CuCl back buffer layer preparation on device performance. By improving the quality of sub-micron-thick CdTe polycrystalline films, and optimizing the concentration and process of Cu doping, we have successfully fabricated semitransparent CdTe solar cells with an average visible light transmittance of 14.21%, ηFront: 6.2%, ηRear: 4.4%, and bifacial factor:0.7.

Effect of metal seed layer on the critical thickness and photoelectric properties of ultrathin Ag films

To decrease the critical thickness for Ag to form a continuous film and improve the photoelectric properties of the transparent conductive film, the metal seed layer was introduced as a wetting layer, and the metal seed/Ag/AZO composite film was prepared on K9 glass substrates by the magnetron sputtering equipment. The effects of the metal seed layer on both the critical thickness of continuous Ag layer and the photoelectric properties of composite film were investigated. The Al seed layer reduces the critical thickness of the Ag layer to 10 nm, and the square resistance of the Al/Ag (10 nm)/AZO composite film decreases by 5.53 Ω/sq compared to the Ag(10 nm)/AZO bilayer film, while its average transmittance of visible light (380–780 nm) increases by 2.33 %. The Cu seed layer further reduces the critical thickness of the Ag film to 8 nm, and the square resistance of the Cu/Ag(8 nm)/AZO composite film decreases to 9.26 Ω/sq, of which average visible light transmittance reaches 69.34 %. The square resistance of the Cu/Ag (10 nm)/AZO composite film is as low as 7.43 Ω/sq, which is 8.48 Ω/sq lower than that of the Ag (10 nm)/AZO bilayer film.

Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells with Superior Thermal/Light Stability and Balanced Efficiency and Transmittance

Semitransparent organic solar cells show attractive potential in the application of building‐integrated photovoltaics, agrivoltaics, floating photovoltaics, and wearable electronics, as their multiple functionalities of electric power generation, photopermeability, and color tunability. Design and exploration of semitransparent organic solar cells with optimal and balanced efficiency and average visible light transmittance and simultaneously high stability are in great demand. In this work, based on a layer‐by‐layer‐processed active layer and an ultrathin metal electrode, inverted semitransparent organic solar cells (ITO/AZO/PM6/BTP‐eC9/MoO3/Au/Ag) were fabricated. Optimal and balanced efficiency and average visible light transmittance were demonstrated, and simultaneously promising thermal and light stability were achieved for the obtained devices. The power conversion efficiency of 13.78–12.29% and corresponding average visible light transmittance of 14.58–25.80% were recorded for the ST‐OSC devices with 25–15 nm thick Ag electrodes, respectively. Superior thermal and light stability with ~90% and ~85% of initial efficiency retained in 400 h under 85 °C thermal stress and AM1.5 solar illumination were demonstrated, respectively.

Printable High-efficiency and Stable FAPbBr3 Perovskite Solar Cells for Multifunctional Building-integrated Photovoltaics.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show great promise for next-generation building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) applications because of their abundance of raw materials, adjustable transparency, and cost-effective printable processing. Owing to the complex perovskite nucleation and growth control, the fabrication of large-area perovskite films for high-performance printed PSCs is still under active investigation. Herein, wepropose an intermediate-phase-transition-assisted one-step blade coating for an intrinsic transparent formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr3 ) perovskite film. The intermediate complex optimized the crystal growth path of FAPbBr3 , resulting in a large-area, homogeneous, and dense absorber film. A champion efficiency of 10.86% with high open-circuit voltage up to 1.57V wasobtained with a simplified device architecture of glass/FTO/SnO2 /FAPbBr3 /carbon. Moreover, the unencapsulated devices maintained 90% of their initial power conversion efficiency after aging at 75°C for 1000h in ambient air, and 96% after maximum power point tracking for 500h. The printed semitransparent PSCs, with average visible light transmittance over 45%, demonstrated high efficiencies for both small devices (8.6%) and 10 × 10 cm2 modules (5.55%). Finally, the ability to customize the color, transparency, and thermal insulation properties of FAPbBr3 PSCs makes them high prospects as multifunctional BIPVs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Flexible Transparent Planar Heater Comprising ZnO/Cu/Al2O3

In this study, we fabricated transparent heaters composed of an ultrathin Cu-layer heating element sandwiched between a ZnO underlayer and an Al2O3 overlayer. With the Cu layer thickness fixed at 8.5 nm, the thicknesses of the ZnO and Al2O3 layers were independently varied to reach the optimum antireflecting condition (maximum transmittance of 88.3% and average visible light transmittance of 79.8% were achieved). The sheet resistances for the ZnO/Cu/Al2O3 heaters can be varied by simply modulating the Cu layer thicknesses. In order to assess the flexibility of the transparent heaters, we constructed a ZnO/Cu/Al2O3 structure on flexible polyimide substrates, and the thermal, electrical, optical and mechanical characteristics were evaluated. Because of the planar heating element of the Cu layer, the thermal response was found to be extremely high, i.e., less than 10 s were required to reach 90% of the target temperatures. Once the target temperatures were reached, the heater temperatures were highly stable with no degradation of electrical and optical properties. Furthermore, the heating capability was maintained under severe mechanical deformation, e.g., at a bending radius of 4 mm. The structure also exhibited highly sustainable optoelectronic properties under repetitive mechanical deformation, confirming the potential for commercialization. Finally, we demonstrated that ZnO/Cu/Al2O3 rolled around a human finger exhibited highly uniform heating characteristics, rendering the heaters suitable for wearable, healthcare electronics.

Controlling the microstructure and properties of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics by adjusting the content of MgO

In order to obtain lithium disilicate glass-ceramics for dental restoration with both high strength and high translucency, lithium disilicate glass-ceramics with different MgO contents were prepared by melt-casting and heat treatment method. The effects of MgO content on the crystallization temperature, microstructure and flexural strength of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics were investigated. The results indicate that Mg2+ exists in the form of [MgO4] in the network of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics when the MgO content is 0.56 mol% (M0.56), which is beneficial to increasing the homogeneity and thermal stability of the glass system, and short rod-like lithium disilicate crystals can be formed after heat treatment at 840°C. Thus, the obtained lithium disilicate glass-ceramics exhibit excellent comprehensive performance, with the flexural strength being 312 ± 23 MPa, and the average transmittance of visible light being 37.3% (d = 1.62 mm). Especially, the glass-ceramic sample shows better translucency than the commercially available products. The research results are of great significance for developing high performance lithium disilicate glass ceramics and promoting its broad application in the field of dental restoration.

Semi-transparent organic photovoltaics.

As an economical solar energy conversion technology, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are regarded as a promising solution to environmental problems and energy challenges. With the highest efficiency of OPVs exceeding 20%, the research focus will shift from efficiency-oriented aspects to commercialization-oriented aspects in the near future. Semi-transparent OPVs (STOPVs) are one of the most possible commercialized forms of OPVs, and have achieved power conversion efficiency over 14% with average visible light transmittance over 20% so far. In this tutorial review, we first systematically summarize the device structures, operating principles and evaluation parameters of STOPVs, and compare them with those of opaque OPVs. Then, strategies to construct high-performance STOPVs by cooperatively optimizing materials and devices are proposed. Methods to realize the scale-up of STOPVs in terms of minimization of electrode and interconnect resistance are summarized. The potential applications of STOPVs in multifunctional windows, agrivoltaics and floating photovoltaics are also discussed. Finally, this review highlights major challenges and research directions that need to be addressed prior to the future commercialization of STOPVs.