SolarWindow Reveals First-Ever ‘Invisible System' for Transporting Electricity on its Electricity-Generating Window
The companys SolarWindow™ generates electricity when its transparent organic coatings are applied in thin layers on to glass surfaces. The SolarWindow™ Intra-Connection System, announced today, moves electricity within these electricity-generating coatings to the companys previously developed ‘invisible wires. In turn, these ‘invisible wires transport electricity across the surface to the edge of the glass, where its connected to building electrical systems.
COLUMBIA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SolarWindow Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: WNDW) today announced an ‘invisible system for transporting electricity within the companys electricity-generating windows, currently under development for tall towers and skyscrapers, which consume nearly 40% of Americas electrical power.
The companys SolarWindow™ generates electricity when its transparent organic coatings are applied in thin layers on to glass surfaces. The SolarWindow™ Intra-Connection System, announced today, moves electricity within these electricity-generating coatings to the companys previously developed ‘invisible wires. In turn, these ‘invisible wires transport electricity across the surface to the edge of the glass, where its connected to building electrical systems.
In making todays announcement, the company released high-power optical microscopy images, revealing elements of a SolarWindow™ Intra-Connection System that is virtually invisible to the human eye at approximately 50 micrometers (µm) wide. The average human hair is approximately twice as thick (100 µm wide) and the traditional approach produces intra-connections that can be as much as ten times thicker (up to 500 µm wide).
Virtually invisible, the Intra-Connection System creates a discreet pattern of microscopic channels, which allows for the efficient transport of electricity within SolarWindow™. Remarkably, this entire system is embedded inside the ultra-thin layers of the companys electricity-generating coatings, and is so small that the human eye cannot see it.
Until now, conventional methods to form these intra-connections have utilized chemical or mechanical systems, which can be slow, unreliable, and prone to wear and tear. These traditional approaches also result in extremely wide and highly visible channels that are aesthetically unappealing and yield poor electron flow.
The SolarWindow™ Intra-Connection System doesnt rely on chemical and mechanical systems. The system creates ultra-fine features that are approximately one-half the width of a human hair, nearly invisible, while ensuring a smooth, efficient pathway for the flow of electricity. This proprietary approach also enables continuous, high-speed, high-volume manufacturing of SolarWindow™ products.
"Today, we move forward in our quest to build skyscraper windows that generate vast amounts of electricity, in two important ways," said John A. Conklin, President and CEO of SolarWindow Technologies, Inc. "First, for our customers, the aesthetic appeal of this type of electrical connection system that is practically invisible to the human eye is clear. Second, this innovation provides advantages in high-speed manufacturing that traditional approaches simply cannot compete with."
The prospect of a transparent electricity-generating window that utilizes this virtually ‘invisible system for transporting electricity within and on the surface of SolarWindow™ is especially attractive to architects, designers, and building occupants in tall towers and skyscrapers. The world flat glass market is estimated to be approximately 89 billion square feet with over 430 million square feet of windows installed in the US alone.
There are an estimated five million tall towers and skyscrapers in the US, one of the companys target markets. Notably, SolarWindow™ achieves an independently validated one-year financial payback when modeled for installation on a 50-story building.
About SolarWindow Technologies, Inc.
SolarWindow Technologies, Inc. is a developer of next generation, transparent electricity-generating SolarWindow™ coatings.
SolarWindow™ coatings generate electricity on see-through glass and flexible plastics with colored tints popular to skyscraper glass. Unlike conventional systems, SolarWindow™ can be applied to all four sides of tall towers, generating electricity using natural and artificial light conditions and even shaded areas. SolarWindow™ uses organic materials, which are dissolved into liquid, ideal for low-cost high-output manufacturing; and is the subject of a patent pending technology.
The companys Proprietary Power Production & Financial Model (Power & Financial Model) uses photovoltaic (PV) modeling calculations that are consistent with renewable energy practitioner standards for assessing, evaluating and estimating renewable energy for a PV project. The Power & Financial Model estimator takes into consideration building geographic location, solar radiation for flat-plate collectors (SolarWindow™ irradiance is derated to account for 360 degree building orientation and vertical installation), climate zone energy use and generalized skyscraper building characteristics when estimating PV power and energy production, and carbon dioxide equivalents. Actual power, energy production and carbon dioxide equivalents modeled may vary based upon building-to-building situational characteristics and varying installation methodologies.