Photovoltaic Glass
In photovoltaic systems the glass is the object which protects all the modules of solar cells within the array so they are not affected by water, dust or mould. It keeps the entire unit functioning and efficient. It also has the function of converting simple sunlight into electricity. The glass uses PV cells to do this as they act as a semi conducting base. The glass covers them from the top and the bottom and copper wiring allows the obtained electric power to go to the grid or where it is needed.
Widespread Usage
Photovoltaic glass has many uses and one of the emerging most popular ones are generating power using the windows of a building or home. The photovoltaic system itself is so easy to install with barely any weight that a photovoltaic window was the next logical step. This glass produces completely green energy which accounts for much of its popularity.
Apart from the obvious environmental benefits such as the reduction of the carbon footprint and ozone layer depletion, businesses have found they can make use of positive marketing when they are found making use of this environmentally friendly technology. The very fact that they care about the environment wins them major points with potential consumers.
Large companies such as Apple have certainly capitalized from the use of PV glass which they have fitted into many of their office buildings. Even Coca Cola has invested in PV glass for manufacturing sites. Soon it will become a common sight in airports and universities at the rate at which it is making waves.
Variations
Photovoltaic glass has been developed in stages and some of the newer types include thinner more transparent models which allow more light to get through enabling even air conditioners to run on the power. If a small building or a house can have free air conditioning, investing in PV glass can be a remarkable achievement in itself. A newer form of PV glass has also emerged which has solar cells placed with gaps in between, this also maximizes power output.
For the longest time solar glass could not be used as windows because it was dark and heavy but PV glass has changed that as it is thin and entirely transparent. PV glass even has the ability to absorb infrared rays and it directs electrons to its panels where the conversion to electricity can begin.
A photovoltaic curtain wall is also a developing trend and it involves using an entire building’s windows for electricity generation and it is usually in structures which have entire sides made from only glass. For the time being this energy source is thought to only supplement the conventional electricity grid, but as the technology develops further it will be able to power the entire building without an auxiliary power source backing it up.
Cons
The use of photovoltaic glass still remains in the domain of commercial use due to its high cost of installation and upkeep but if cheaper materials were to be used, regular people could have a bigger share of this planet saving invention.