Solar-powered windows a step closer with transparent solar panels from Polysolar
Britain’s estimated 1 billion windows could become the power generators of the future, letting light through while harnessing solar energy. A Cambridge firm, Polysolar, which is manufacturing transparent solar panels, predicts that they could eventually replace conventional carbon emitting energy sources, such as coal and gas. Now British investors have an opportunity to buy a stake in the revolutionary technology. Polysolar is launching a fundraising programme on CrowdCube after extensive trials. The firm’s solar PV glass is the first truly transparent alternative to solar panels, generating renewable energy without spoiling building aesthetics.
A typical 1200 by 600mm Polysolar glass panel can generate on average 5kWh of power each month (equivalent to half a day’s power consumption for the average home). London’s Shard, would, if fitted with Polysolar glass, generate some 2,500MWh/year, enough (when combined with a reduction in air-conditioning loads) to create a zero-carbon building or power the annual energy needs of 1,000 houses. Currently, a typical panel will cost about twice the price of a conventional glass window, but when volume production begins, the price could fall to a 10% premium on the cost of conventional glass. Installations to date include the UK’s first solar-powered glass bus shelter at Canary Wharf, petrol station canopies for Sainsbury’s, building façades and roofing for Network Rail as well as energy-generating domestic carports, conservatories, and greenhouses. One domestic trial featured a transparent glass roof to a garage and workshop that met the complete power needs of the owner’s electric car and home. Hamish Watson, CEO of Polysolar, said: “We’re delighted to be launching our crowd funding programme to accelerate the growth of our company. We’ve invested over £1.5m to get where we are today and we now have a commercial product with a huge potential market. It has taken time, effort, investment and science to make windows that generate power. There’s a clear market opportunity in every sense.”
Inspired by the transparent technology in the Hollywood sci-fi film Minority Report, Hamish founded Polysolar before solar power became mainstream. His aim was to solve developer needs to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions of buildings without harming the function and form of the building. The firm was founded in 2007. The financial crisis of 2008 meant that Polysolar pursued its development programme without external investment. It slowed the development process, but it also bought the company time to develop a commercial product and understand the manufacturing and market requirements. R&D has been carried out exclusively in the UK. Polysolar is supported by a Technology Strategy Board and leading materials and glass manufacturing partners. The firm’s technology has already been praised for its environmental and aesthetic benefits. The company is now poised to accelerate sales and manufacturing. Secondary fabrication is undertaken at Dagenham and Stirling in the UK to deliver cost-effective solutions to the construction industry and consumers alike. The firm already exports around the world and is investing in turnkey architectural solutions for its clients.
Email: info@polysolar.co.uk
