Human history abounds in innovative projects that have literally revolutionised our lives. Just think of the Industrial Revolution, of incredible inventions like the steam engine, the first prototypes of cars, machinery for the textile and steel industries.
Each age stands out for its creativity and inventiveness, for technologies that bear the name of distinguished scholars and scientists.
We are currently living through the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0. Many technologies in this context aim to improve corporate production and the human approach to work, with a focus on issues such as environmental health and sustainability.
A case in point is the structural glass project we are proud to present for the first time to the general public. It is called Powerglax, and is based on an extremely innovative photovoltaic technology.
Let's find out what it’s all about.
Increasingly powerful and high-performing innovation
Powerglax addresses the shipbuilding, architectural and railway sectors, for which Isoclima specialises in the production of some of the best glass solutions on the market.
The Powerglax structural glass project is based on a system that turns any transparent glass into a powerful and sustainable source of clean energy with absolutely no impact on the environment. At the heart of this system lies the principle of photovoltaic panels applied to glass. Studies, tests and research projects have enabled us to achieve significant benefits in terms of energy cost and efficiency. Powerglax can generate up to 100 W/sqm, effectively becoming the first fully transparent glass to produce energy.
Specialist technology and applications
The technology underlying the Powerglax structural glass project is based on applying nano molecules to normal glass panes with a view to producing clean energy.
Sunlight is captured by the glass panes and conveyed, through a special optical transmission process, to high-performing photovoltaic cells that convert the light into electricity.
The latter may be stored in local accumulators, centralised or fed back into grid to optimise energy consumption.
Generally speaking, energy production via photovoltaic panels is significantly reduced in cloudy or rainy weather.
This does not happen with Powerglax, as its glass is equally efficient in all weather conditions, regardless of the structure’s exposure and positioning.
Powerglax, an exceptional product, stemming from the synergistic work of our R&D departments, which you will be hearing about for a very long time to come.