Power Glass ... will we ever see it?

Trogdor01 · #1 Posted **Oct 30, 2007, 7:17 AM**

I first heard about XsunX's ideas about 4 years ago, and got excited. In case you hadn't heard of it, they intend to create a new type of glass skin for buildings -- called "Power Glass" -- with invisible solar cells embedded inside. The cells will not be highly efficient as far as solar cells go, but as they'll be transparent, the whole glass pane will be a giant solar cell.

Now consider the new buildings we've been seeing. Generally, glass skins are in. Consider if 25-50% of the glass skin of a skyscraper were made out of power-generating glass, thereby allowing the building itself to generate a large chunk of its own electric power.

Fantastic, right? Or, perhaps just fantastical.

It's been 4 years, and to date I've seen little to no progress, just a lot of press releases and even prettier graphics describing whats still "coming soon".

SO ... do you think we'll ever see power glass? (no pun intended) Or, is this just more vaporware?

(by the way, for more info: http://www.xsunx.com/)

Swede · #2 Posted **Oct 30, 2007, 2:03 PM**

4 years? I thought this idea was at least 10 years old, if not more. It is a great idea, but I'm not holding my breath...

paytonc · #3 Posted **Nov 18, 2007, 11:16 PM**

It's called "embedded photovoltaic," and yes, it's been around for a while -- for vision glass as well as for glass spandrel panels. An example is the new Coney Island subway terminal:

http://www.architectureweek.com/2007...nment_1-2.html

Matty · #4 Posted **Nov 20, 2007, 2:36 AM**

Those panels are not transparent. I've seen the terminal in person.

Raraavis · #5 Posted **Nov 20, 2007, 8:38 PM**

The questions are what kind of maintenence is required? How much more expensive is it than regular glass? For the price of the upgrade to power glass could you produce more energy by paying the same amount to a farmer to put up wind mills.

Power glass is a sexy idea but it may not be the best use of resources.

CC420 · #6 Posted **Nov 23, 2007, 6:39 PM**

There is also the concept of solar paint. If the concept of solar windows can come to fruition then you could make a whole building one giant solar collector. Both technologies have a way to go though from what I see.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/so...-power-station