The lightweight PV glass-glass offers multiple functionalities under one product, since it provides energy generation, lets natural light in, provides thermal and sound insulation, filters 99% of harmful UV radiation and up to 95% IR radiation and it is easily customizable (e.g. in terms of shape, colour, semi-transparency). Moreover, this PV glass presents the same mechanical properties as conventional architectural glass used in construction for architectural purposes. Regarding the technology, c-Si or a-Si can be used according to the scenario, meaning building needs, solutions, or orientation. Installation procedures are simple, and this PV glass is installer friendly. From a mechanical standpoint, the installation is performed just like any other conventional glass. Economically speaking, ONYX PV Glass works as a revenue-accelerator, using Onyx Solar’s PV glass is not more expensive than other alternative building materials and it has something they don’t have: the active property of producing energy, apart from long term energy savings, tax credits and incentives. In addition, due to its lightweight nature, it is compatible with Click&Go systems.
Climate-neutral and smart citiesAddressing target audiences and expressing needs
- To raise awareness and possibly influence policy
- Grants and Subsidies
The main target customers are:
● Prestige buildings
● Large Scale multiple-used Commercial Buildings
● Residential buildings
● Architects
● Designers
● Construction companies
● Real estate developers
● Public institutions, specially interesting in cases where weight might be a limitation due to structural reasons
- Public or private funding institutions
- EU and Member State Policy-makers
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
The product is being demonstrated in operational environment and working as expected, since it has been installed in three differnet demonstrators, so that at the end of the project the product will achieve TRL-8. Although the product has been subjected and passed different testing according to PV and construction sectors, the last step in order to achieve TRL 9 is the certification of the product according to IEC and to carry out different tests according to the standard EN 14449 related to glass in buildings.
From the manufacturing point of view, no additional expenditures are needed since the product can be manufactured within the current ONYX manufacturing lines. In terms of exploitation, it is needed to indicate that no capital investments are foreseen since ONYX has already a consolidated commercial strategy implemented for its BIPV products which will be used also for the exploitation of the products developed within this project. The commercial exploitation led by Onyx is based on the current company pillars: International Sales Offices Departments, International Distribution and installers Network covering countries worldwide, adaptation to client needs, excellent marketing and communication strategy.
The advantage is that this PV glass can be adapted to the needs of the customers making it possible to choose the shape, color, size, grade of transparency, etc. of the glass therefore facilitating its integration in a wide range of projects and designs.
This lightweight BIPV glass-glass, smilarly to other BIPV glazing developed by ONYX SOLAR, by providing the same thermal insulation as conventional glass, along with the capacity to generate free clean electricity from the sun, it enables buildings to drastically improve their energy efficiency, decrease operation and maintenance costs, and reduce their carbon footprint.
- Global
