Energy-generating facade
AGC Glass Europe’s Active Glass business unit has introduced the SunEwat product range, which delivers “affordable energy-saving facade solutions that do not compromise on design, aesthetics, performance or quality”.
AGC explained that architects and designers have to comply with increasingly stringent environmental standards and cost-efficiency requirements.
“This is especially true for buildings, which account for about 40% of energy consumption in the EU,” the company said.
AGC Glass Europe’s new product range – developed for use in facade windows, spandrels, cladding and other applications – is the result of collaboration with partners, including PHYSEE Technologies, Sonnenstromfabrik, SolTech and Solar Visuals.
“By combining their expertise in solar energy with our expertise in glass, we can now supply a wide range of cutting-edge photovoltaic-embedded glass solutions,” Xavier Sahyoun, manager of AGC Glass Europe’s Active Glass business unit.
“The SunEwat range is a revolution compared to conventional unattractive photovoltaic panels. Our modules comply with nearly zero-energy building requirements, while offering facade designers limitless architectural and aesthetic options as well as seamless integration into buildings. SunEwat solutions are also cost-efficient, featuring record low payback periods.”
SunEwat products for windows are available under the names Vision Square, Vision Stripe and SmartSkin. SunEwat Vision delivers elegant solutions that showcase the use of green energy while maintaining the glazing’s transparency and functionality, the company said. SmartSkin is a dynamic facade innovation by PHYSEE Technologies combining photovoltaics and learning sensors with a smart building management system.
SunEwat products for spandrels are marketed under the names Stopray Active, Artlite Active and Lacobel T Active.
In these products, the photovoltaic cells are hidden behind a coating, creative designs or a coat of paint, resulting in aesthetically appealing rendering of a project while still delivering optimal energy generation and shorter payback times.
Artlite Active, developed in partnership with Solar Visuals, enables total customisation of the cladding area; Lacobel T Active is a uniform solution featuring photovoltaic cells concealed behind high-quality glossy paint; and Stopray Vision coatings for windows can now be matched with Stopray Active, an active spandrel version that has a uniform appearance while ensuring optimal energy generation.