- Title: Solar power glass bricks generate energy while letting in light
- Date: 28th November 2017
- Summary: PENRYN, ENGLAND, UK (OCTOBER 31, 2017) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) DR HASAN BAIG, FOUNDER OF BUILD SOLAR, SAYING: "The product is very much modular and scalable, which means it is just like a normal glass brick or a glass block and you can stack them all together to form larger sized walls which are able to provide electricity, daylighting, and improved thermal insulation."
- Embargoed: 12th December 2017 11:59
- Keywords: solar power University of Exeter Solar Squared solar brick
- Location: PENRYN, ENGLAND, UK / ANIMATION
- City: PENRYN, ENGLAND, UK / ANIMATION
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Science
- Reuters ID: LVA00679E332Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Buildings reportedly consume more than forty percent of global electricity and are responsible for more than a third of carbon emissions in the UK.
A British university spin-off believes it can reduce both of these statistics with a prototype multi-functional glass block, designed to be incorporated into the exterior of buildings, collecting solar energy and converting it to electricity.
The blocks contain 'intelligent optics' that focuses incoming solar radiation onto small solar cells, enhancing each cell's energy.
Lead researcher is Dr Hasan Baig, a research fellow from the University of Exeter's Environment and Sustainability Institute.
Baig has founded Build Solar and is seeking a patent for the blocks, called Solar Squared, which use Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
"The product is aligned to provide three different things - electricity, daylighting, and thermal insulation. It is aesthetic in its look, so it fits in very well within the building architecture," Baig told Reuters at the university's Penryn campus in Cornwall.
He added: "We have introduced smaller sized solar cells inside this glass block which are spaced apart. On top of this are intelligent optics which focus the incoming sunlight onto these solar cells throughout the day. We are able to generate a higher amount of electrical output from each solar cell."
The technology could be used in conjunction with existing solar roof panels, maximising each building's sustainability potential, possibly leading to net-zero energy buildings.
The blocks are designed to produce electricity to power the building, charge electric vehicles outside, or be stored elsewhere.
The transparent glass blocks are similar to other decorative ones on the market, while adding solar cells adds just a fraction to their cost.
According to Baig: "The product is modular and scalable. It is just like a normal glass brick or glass block. You can stack them all together to form larger sized walls."
Although it is technically possible to retrofit the blocks to existing buildings, Baig says Build Solar's primary focus is on using them in new-builds.
In addition to their electricity generating ability, Baig says the Build Solar blocks are more effective at thermal insulation than traditional glass blocks.
Baig is actively seeking investors and partners. He is confident the blocks could be market ready by the end of 2018 and believes they could be applied "massively on a global scale."
The team is currently fine-tuning the designs, which can work in a variety of colours, before testing them at pilot sites. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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