KROMATIX – colored solar panels of high efficiency and durability for Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) installations
Country of development/application:
Switzerland
Scope of innovation
☐ Office work
☒ Production / Service supply process
Sector-specific
☒ Yes / please, specify sector(s): Construction
☐ No (relevant for all sectors)
Description of the needs
The amount of sunlight that strikes the earth’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world’s energy consumption for a full year. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation. This energy can be used to generate electricity or be stored in batteries or thermal storage.
Advantages of Solar Energy
The more we can capture the benefits of solar energy, the less we will rely on fossil fuels. Adding a solar energy system to our homes allows us to tap into these solar energy advantages:
1. Solar energy is a renewable energy source and reduces carbon emissions
Solar energy is a renewable energy source, meaning we don’t ever use it up. Solar energy is clean. It creates no carbon emissions or other heat-trapping “greenhouse” gases. It avoids the environmental damage associated with mining or drilling for fossil fuels. Furthermore, solar energy also uses little to no water, unlike power plants that generate electricity using steam turbines.
2. Solar energy can reduce our homes’ electricity bills
A solar energy system for our home can reduce our reliance on the grid and help us save on our electricity bills. Some owners of residential solar energy systems may even have excess power that they can sell to the utility. Instead of paying a utility for electricity, homeowners get paid by the utility. We may not have to buy an entire solar energy system to cut our home’s electricity bills. We can simply choose solar lights, lights that are powered by the sun instead of our home’s electrical system, to help save money.
3. Solar power can get our money back through Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)
Some states offer solar renewable energy certificates (SREC). Each one represents a megawatt-hour of electricity generated through solar energy. Electricity suppliers buy these certificates to satisfy their state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, a requirement that a certain amount of their renewable energy come from solar. We can sell SRECs for our system’s output, which is another way to earn money from our investment.
4. Homes with solar panels installed may improve home value
Home buyers will likely pay more for a house with solar panels installed. Considering solar energy pros and cons, the savings on electricity bills and the money earned selling power back to the utility, all count in the plus column. Residential solar energy systems are highly valued and can increase a home’s resale value. The property value of a home with solar panels can be worth up to $15,000 more than its neighbors. Solar systems are fairly easy to install and require very little maintenance. Both are handled by our solar provider, if you opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). Consider this as you ask yourself is solar energy worth it.
5. Solar panels have low maintenance costs
Solar panels are easy to maintain, as they have no moving parts that wear out over time. Just keep them clean and in good physical condition to keep them working properly. Between their low maintenance costs and average lifespan of 25 years, it can be easy to get our money’s worth when investing in solar panels.
6. Solar energy can generate electricity in any climate
Solar energy systems can generate electricity in any climate. One of the disadvantages of solar energy is that it’s subject to temporary weather disruption. Cloudy days reduce the amount of electricity produced. Cold, however, doesn’t affect productivity. Snowfall can actually help the solar system, as the snow cleans the panels as it melts and sun reflected off the snow increases the amount of light hitting the panels. The result is more electricity/heat production.
Description of the solution
Kromatix is a color treated glass for photovoltaic panels and involves the deposition of highly efficient and environmentally friendly nanotechnology surface treatments that are optimized for solar energy applications. Atomic deposition transforms the solar glass into colored glass, making it durable and immune to UV degradation.
A multilayered coating is deposited on the inner glass surface with low pressure plasma processes. Its constitutive materials are exclusively selected based on their high solar transmittance, zero absorption and high durability while maximizing high angular color stability.
No pigments, dyes, paint, or screen printing are used with Kromatix, thus avoiding the significant efficiency losses associated with these color technologies or the color fading due to the passage of time or sun exposure.
Treatment of the outer glass surface results in diffused reflection. This prevents glare effects and reinforces the masking effect of the solar devices technical parts, further enhancing the panel aesthetics.
Kromatix technology offers vast new opportunities by combining full architectural design flexibility and unparalleled panel aesthetics with optimum panel performance for building integrated solar energy applications.
Kromatix provides turnkey solutions transforming the building envelope in active facade. Its customized PV products, the cooperation with partners and installation companies, ensure the achievement of all design needs worldwide.
Description of the effect
Еnvironmental benefits
• Recycling of PV modules at the end of their life cycle.
• 0% of toxic product on Kromatix glass to get the color.
• For rooftop solar installations, the IPCC established that emissions associated to generate 1kWh of electricity are 41g CO2eq, nearly 12times lower than natural gas and 20 times lower than coal.
Financial benefits
• Get a facade that can be paid-back instead of a passive façade.
• Off 30 – 40% higher energy production than printed / enameled glass.
Company/companies that developed/implemented/offer the innovation
Kromatix™ SA is a Swiss-based company specializing in the production of high-performance, colored solar glass and panels for roofs, facades, balconies, and balustrades. Established in 2008 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), the company has become a global leader in the architectural solar market. Its high performance glass coating technology and unique glass coating process enable it to create solar panels that not only boast superior aesthetics but also outperform traditional colored solar panels in terms of efficiency. With a 40% higher energy production compared to painted or filmed glass, Kromatix panels have become the preferred choice for architects worldwide. Over the years, Kromatix has been involved in numerous international projects, delivering over hundreds of square meters of solar panels in collaboration with its partners. Its 10 vibrant color options come alive on buildings, as the reflection of light changes throughout the day and depending on the viewer’s perspective.
Headquarters address: Kromatix SA, Route de la Maillarde 5, 1680 Romont – Switzerland
Phone: +41 26 652 80 83
E-mail: info@kromatix.com
Website: https://kromatix.com/
Additional information
Video: Kromatix Beautiful Building Integrated Photovoltaics фотоволтаици