The Case for Photovoltaic Glass Technology for Curtain Walls on Buildings

Modern building designs are constantly seeking intervention concepts and innovations that meet Environmental Sustainability, Low Life cycle cost, durability, safety, performance (quality) and sometimes reusability. Architects and other professionals in the industry are continuously on the lookout for new technologies that can meet these requirements on both new and existing structures.

Most modern commercial and residential structures springing up in cities across the world consist of Curtain walling facades. This is basically an Aluminium frame in filled with glass, stone, metal or any other suitable material as per the Architect’s desire. Our central focus should be on the usually large expanse of the infill material, be it glass or whatever else. This large surface is usually exposed and should ideally be resistant to adverse weather conditions. But a little curiosity will reveal to you that sometimes it’s not bad to think of the negative side of things.

In a bid to explore what could happen in case the façade was not weather resistant, researchers discovered a fascinating and very brilliant concept. What if the large free surface was instead out to use?  And then Photovoltaic glass technology was born into building industry. Curtain walling has always held a certain fascination with Solar panel manufacturers. The large free surface could be used to generate energy from the sun and use it to power the same buildings or even collect it and export it to the grid. 

Alexander Forbes  Insurance Headquaters, Johannesburg,South Africa. (Cladding in Standing Seam technique)

The world has been advocating for renewable energy technologies since way before the start of this century. This innovation was one of those outstanding achievements by scientists that deserve medals. I mean, take a quick look at all the high-rise buildings in your city and imagine all of them harvesting their own energy and powering their own operations within and outside their premises. Imagine how much money would be saved on power generation projects to satisfy the requirements of people living and working in the cities.

How much money would maintenance managers and building owners save on the life cycle cost of running the buildings during its service life? How much would we save the environment the adverse effects of building power dams on each all-season river in the country?

It’s time to put those high walls and roofs to use. Let’s embrace a comprehensive system of Photovoltaic glass technology for our buildings to increase sustainability in the industry. In fact, let’s also set up solar farms to harvest solar power and connect it to the national grid. It’s a shame that with our climate and the existence of such technologies, countries like my Uganda in this Century still has only 28% of electricity coverage out of a population of nearly 40 Million people. And we dream of being a middle income country in a few years to come. This statistic is one of the deterrences but the technology could be a catalyst.

Credit: Construction Review Magazine 

The Idea of an Apolitical Council of Elders

We are living in very interesting political times here in Uganda. Tabloids have been awash with stories relating to the sacking of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi by his erstwhile close ally, the President. Reports from the NRM parliamentary caucus meeting on Monday indicate that the president further intends to torpedo Mr. Mbabazi from his Secretary General’s seat at the party as well. Most people who understand the President’s paranoia especially in relation to his power are not surprised by these developments. It was silently understood that it was just a matter of time before Mr. Mbabazi’s perceived or real ambitions would land him on the knife edge.

However, the graceful and calm demeanor with which he has taken the sacking and the series of events that have followed it has left many wondering what the self-proclaimed ‘super Minister’ is made of. Many who have worked with him previously have mentioned calm and calculative to be his quintessential approach to everything. Commentators, analysts and even opposition MPs have spoken favourably about the ‘smart and very intelligent’ former minister who has held many portfolios in cabinet and security agencies. If this is indeed true, then it would be a shame to lose such a man because of his aspirations to be the fountain of honour in this country.

My thinking is that, however much it is the prerogative of the President to appoint and disappoint people in cabinet and many other government agencies at will, some people who have diligently served their country and have a good track record should be retained in advisory capacity as a Statutory Council of Elders to advise the country on certain major issues. Let’s be honest; Intelligence, dedication, hard work and Integrity are not qualities that can be attributed to many in Uganda’s political circles.

So, why do we need this Council?

Uganda has had many good laws, programs, projects and policies that have simply slipped into silent death during implementation stage. (Take a look at NAADS, Bona bagagawale, Railway Projects, PRDP, The valley dam projects et al.) Many reasons could be attributed to this but key among them are the fact that thorough consultations and feasibility studies are not carried out prior to establishment to plug the loopholes, and of course corruption. This council of elders would be charged with assessing the viability of such development programs, reviewing policy frameworks, advising on them during implementation and initiating others that they deem necessary to the country’s development agenda.

How do we choose the members of this council?

There must be specific criteria to be followed in choosing these members. In a bid to avoid political interference, we need an independent nominating agency contracted to dig deep and undertake a thorough process to come up with these members. Candidates must have a track record of hard work and dedicated service in private, public sector, civil society or international bodies. In the event that one is nominated while in public service and they choose to take up the assignment, they would be required to resign their positions. The nominated members must be vetted by the Parliamentary Appointments Committee and approved before they take on their assignments. This would act as a secondary sieve to ensure that we get the finest people to this council.

How long would they serve?

To avoid complacency and ensure continuity in this council, I would suggest that a council member serve a minimum of one five year term and a maximum of two terms. We achieve this by employing the rotational policy of such advisory boards of several fortune 500 companies where the longest serving half of the board is retired and replaced every five years.

Replace the Presidential advisors

Of course with this council, we wouldn’t need the hundreds of presidential advisors meeting once a month to be ‘advised’ instead by the president, driving free cars and taking home millions for either ‘misadvising’ the president or having their advice ignored. The council would take up the role of advising the president, cabinet and government agencies to steer this country forward without all the politics and intrigue that comes with holding a government position to which one is appointed and serves at the mercy of the president. The security of their tenure must be well protected and shielded from political interference.

Who would I choose?

For the council to be effective, it has to consist of a lean number (maybe 20) and much diversified lot. If I was asked to choose off head, I would nominate the following people; Ezra Suruma, Godber Tumushabe, Mugisha Muntu, Fred Muhumuza, Miria Matembe, Winnie Byanyima, James Ogoola, Allen Kagina, Patrick Bitature, Julia Sebutinde, Martin Aliker, Betty Bigombe, Amanya Mushega, Tumusiime Mutebile and the Intelligent Amama Mbabazi. You can add other names to the list.

Let’s face it. To move this country forward, we need more than what we have in our current civil service. Uganda would be losing a lot of brain power, expertise and experience to help in policy formulation and implementation if we keep letting whoever falls out with the regime fade into oblivion. Some of these fine brains need to be fully tapped because, clearly, the ones we are tapping are not helping much.