Next Game Changing Solar Technology !!

Solar Building Integrated Photovoltaic Glass:

Overview:

Invention of #solar photovoltaics has reshaped the energy scenario of the world. Oil crisis in 1970 has created momentum for solar energy harvesting and solar PV has emerged as a game changing technology. Abundant solar radiation (174 Petawatts) which is of free in nature can be trapped and converted in to useful power without any emissions.

Solar PV panels will occupy certain amount of area depending on the solar density value (Watts per meter square).Many advancements came in improving this value but still the space became an important constraint. This constraint is providing greater resistance for commercial buildings to go for solar energy harvesting. Since commercial spaces consumes nearly 40% of world’s energy consumption, proper addressing of this constraint will provide greater benefits.

There came a new technology called solar BIPV glass which can be integrated in to a building as a building material which can solve the above mentioned problem of space requirement.

Solar BIPV:

Building integrated photovoltaics is the latest transparent glass used as a building material & as an energy-generating device, capturing the sunlight and transforming it into electricity. It is made up of 2 or more panes of heat treated, safety glass, which provides the same thermal and sound insulation, and natural light as a conventional architectural glass. Thus, this can be  installed in place of conventional glass on building facades, curtain walls, atriums, canopies and terrace floor, among others.

By providing similar thermal performance as that of a conventional glass, along with emission and cost free electricity from the sun, buildings can drastically improve their energy efficiency, decrease operational costs, and reduce their carbon footprint.

Features:

Generates free and clean electricity by turning buildings into vertical power generating stations.

Allows natural light in, and filters 99% harmful UV radiation, and up to 95% IR radiation.

Works as a revenue- accelerator, since it is the only building material that pays off! Also installed buildings enjoys long term energy savings, tax credits and incentives as the technology comes under solar.

These can be customized in shape, color, size, thickness, and semi-transparency degrees, easing its integration within any project and design.

Installer friendly. From a mechanical standpoint, its installation is performed the same way as installing conventional glass.

Two types of solar BIPV are available in the market like Amorphous and crystalline.

Sample specifications of both the types were mentioned as below. (Source: From Solar BIPV supplier Data Sheet)

Amorphous type:

THICKNESS CONFIGURATION (mm)**	SHGC	U value m2	U value ft2	External Light Reflection	Transparency	Peak Power
	%	**W/m2K	Btu/h ft2F	%	%	(Wp/m2
3.2+4	41%	5,7	1.00	7,6%	30,0%	28
6T+3.2+6T*	37%	5,2	0.92	7,3%	30,0%	28
6T+3.2+6T/12Air/6T	19%	2,7	0.48	7,3%	30,0%	28
6T+3.2+6T/12Air/6T low-e	17%	1,6	0.28	7,3%	30,0%	28
6T+3.2+6T/12Argon/6T low-e	17%	1,2	0.21	7,3%	30,0%	28
6T+3.2+6T/12Argon/4/12Argon/6T low-e	17%	1,0	0.18	7,3%	30,0%	28

Crystalline type:

THICKNESS CONFIGURATION (mm)**	SHGC	Valor U m2	U value ft2	External Light Reflection	Transparency
	%	**W/m2K	Btu/h ft2F	%	%
6T+6T	40%	5,5	0.97	8,3%	38,0%
6T+6T/12Air/6T	22%	2,7	0.48	8,3%	38,0%
6T+6T/12Air/6T low-e	20%	1,6	0.28	8,3%	38,0%
6T+6T/12Argon/6T low-e	20%	1,2	0.21	8,3%	38,0%
6T+6T/12Argon/4/12Argon/6T low-e	20%	1,0	0.18	8,3%	38,0%

HVAC demand reduction with Solar BIPV:

Typical IRR & Payback:

Typical payback period is nearly 3 years. Average annual return during the first 30 years of the investment is like 90%.