Solar Glass Blocks Allow Buildings to Generate Their Own Power

These glass blocks convert the sun’s energy into electricity, and can be built directly into the walls of buildings.

Solar power systems in buildings usually involve rooftop panels, but a new innovation could help capture solar energy via the walls themselves.

Autor*in Tristan Rayner, 10.18.17

Translation Tristan Rayner:

Solar power systems in buildings usually involve rooftop panels, but a new innovation could help capture solar energy via the walls themselves.

Solar is one of renewable energy’s greatest success stories, with costs dropping dramatically as the efficiency of conventional solar panels increases – but there’s still more that can be done.

Harvesting solar energy from rooftop panels isn’t always possible – often due to the type of building being unsuitable, or structural limitations. And solar panels themselves also have some of their own environmental impacts.

An innovation from the University of Exeter adds energy harvesting to glass blocks, which could offer a new way to generate energy to walls and windows, without expensive materials or pollutants.

Glass blocks are already used in many buildings, serving as an option for architects and builders to add to the structure of a building to let in light, while maintaining privacy. They’re a common feature in bathrooms in newer brick buildings across the world.

This new block is designed to collect solar energy and convert it to electricity as a concentrator photovoltaic cell, via a patent-pending design. The design builds in an array of optics that guide sunlight onto small-sized solar cells. The blocks don’t use expensive lenses, and offer better thermal insulation than traditional glass blocks. They also offer a futuristic green look, which is desirable for new energy-efficient buildings.

The innovation, called Solar Squared, has been spun off from the University of Exeter into a company called Build Solar.

“Buildings consume more than forty percent of the electricity produced across the globe,” said Dr Hasan Baig, the co-founder of Build Solar and one of the academics in the University of Exeter team.

“Deployment of standard solar technology is limited by the large area requirement and the negative visual impact. We wanted to overcome these limitations by introducing technologies that become a part of the building’s envelope.”

The Build Solar team are aiming for the Solar Squared product to be a cheaper building material than a traditional glass block, with the added benefit of providing electricity to buildings.

From a Prototype to a Practical Solution

But these innovative glass blocks still face a number of challenges. The product is at the prototype phase, and it’s not known exactly how much power can be generated from a standard installation throughout a year, or how soon the payback period might be.

And there are practical issues too, such as if the blocks are maintainable in the event they stop working, or what the electrical wiring requirements on the inside might be like.

The commercialisation question is always pertinent, but it’s a smart idea looking for a kickstart to see if it can be realised.

Build Solar are currently looking for test sites to install Solar Squared, and seeking outside investment to push the green technology forward.

TAGGED WITH
How Much Could You Really Save by Switching to an EV?

Would switching from petrol to electric help you cut costs and your carbon footprint? A new tool could help you find out from the comfort of your own laptop.

Simon: The Simple Solar Power Station For Inner-City Balconies

For homeowners there are plenty of ways of plugging into solar power, but for apartment dwellers the situation is often much trickier. But for people in Germany, portable solar panels for your balcony might offer a pretty nifty solution.

GravityLight: The LED Lamp Powered by Gravity

This clever invention is transforming the quality of life in remote, off-grid, or resource-poor communities. How? Through a light powered entirely by gravity, requiring neither electricity nor batteries.

solshare-solarenergie-nachbarschaft-bangladesch
Me SOLshare Ltd.
SOLshare: Peer-to-Peer Solar Energy for the Neighbourhood

The social startup SOLshare gives people in rural areas of Bangladesh access to energy that's both cheap and clean - and also supplies them with an extra source of income.

A World Powered Entirely by Renewables? This Award Can Help

The submission deadline is fast approaching for applications for the Renewable Transformation Challenge Award. The award promotes our transition towards a world powered entirely by renewable energy, and one in which renewable energy is affordable for all. Read on for more about the entry criteria, deadline and prizes.

Husk to Home: Building Houses From Rice in the Philippines

A team of engineers is set to start building houses in the Philippines using materials from an unexpected source – the country’s abundant supply of rice. Husk to Home have developed boards made from discarded husks and are to start using them to create long-lasting, sustainable, and eco-friendly homes.

Can we Store Energy in the Sea?

Giant concrete spheres at the bottom of the ocean could be the batteries of the future. At least that is what experts from Fraunhofer Institute believe after conducting some successful tests in the lake of Constance.

Harnessing Solar Energy in the Sunniest Continent

The launch of a smart solar street lamp assembly line in Bamako, Mali, is a major step in the development of the solar industry in Africa. This joint initiative by Solektra International and Sunna Design should help create jobs and bring light to areas without access to a power grid.

The Trash-eating Solar-powered Wheel That’s Cleaning Up Waterways

A solar-powered wheel is scooping out trash and plastic from Baltimore's inner harbour.