I sorta was thinking there are only so many windows in my place that we really look out for the view. talked to my wife and we agreed that we would be fine with a less than clear view for everything in our place outside of the balcony and the master bedroom.

The problem isn't that IR light, and whatever else, are getting in. Presumably the solar panel captures it. The issue is that any light it collects becomes heat. Solar panels get really hot, because they're absorbing as much light as possible. This should get slightly less hot, because it's only absorbing some light, and letting some through, but any heat coming in will become heat, because none is reflected. Any that's reflected won't become electricity.

It seemed like it was a layer inside the window. Almost like a vinyl tint layer, but with a fairly subtle pattern. It also made star filter type patterns on point lights like headlights.