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