The first of its kind, the purpose-built incubation centre for social and environmental enterprises will be generating around 3.4 MWh of its electricity per annum, thanks to Polysolar’s unique photovoltaic glass on the south facing façade.
Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) is a small but rapidly expanding niche within the construction industry. Widely believed to be the future for PV on buildings, the technology was recently embraced by Greg Barker, Minister of State for Climate Change. In his roadmap of the government’s UK Solar strategy, the minister has recognised the importance of the emerging BIPV market.
BIPV acts as a high-quality building material in its own right, combining many of the virtues of a 21st century energy efficient material, whilst also generating renewable electricity.
The Cambridge company’s pioneering transparent PV glazing modules ensure a 20% light transmission with a natural amber tint which is specifically designed for areas where light and shading are required. In principle, Polysolar’s PV glass can be used in all parts of the building envelope, such as: upper sections of windows and facades, as well as atriums, canopies and roof lights, thus avoiding the need for brise soleil and other shading systems.
The PV façade helps the FBC achieve BREEAM Excellence building regulation benefiting from visual comfort and glare control, reduction in excessive heating from the sun due to simpler shading strategies, a decrease in CO2 emissions and most importantly cost effectiveness.
Polysolar, the UK producer of the BIPV glass and the technology utilised by FBC has been applauded by Martin Clark, the FBC’s Deputy CEO saying “The decision to work with Polysolar on the project was immensely satisfying, not only harnessing quality green innovation but also improving our environmental credentials”.
For more information on Polysolar and its ground-breaking energy producing building materials please email info@polysolar.co.uk or visit www.polysolar.com
About Polysolar
Polysolar is an award winning Cambridge (UK) based developer and producer of low cost glazing for the Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) market. The unique thin-film solar PV glass is the first truly transparent alternative for conventional architectural building materials, generating renewable energy and a return on investment.
_______________________________________________