Solar Squared

In August 2017, a start-up company Build Solar unveiled an innovative new technology that could enable buildings to convert the sun’s energy into electricity without the need for solar panels.

Renewable energy experts from the University of Exeter led by solar scientist Dr Hasan Baig and world-leading renewable energy scientist Professor Tapas Mallick, have developed a pioneering new technique using Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).

Solar Squared is a glass block which can be incorporated into a building’s fabric, and is designed to collect solar energy and convert it to electricity. It is hoped that this product, as with other BIPVs, such as the solar tile that has been created by Tesla, will accelerate the widespread introduction of net-zero energy buildings, by allowing buildings to produce their own electricity on-site.

Solar Squared blocks are designed, in collaboration with Glass Block Technology Ltd., to fit seamlessly into new buildings or as part of renovations in existing buildings. Transparent glass bricks replace traditional bricks and mortar, providing excellent daylighting, and achieving greater thermal insulation than traditional glass blocks. Intelligent optics are contained inside the Solar Squared blocks that focus the incoming solar radiation onto small cells, enhancing the overall energy generated by each.

Build Solar are hoping to encourage investment for commercial testing with an aim of taking it to market in 2018. The patent-pending technology is currently at the prototype stage, with designs being fine-tuned in advance of testing at pilot sites.

Dr Hasan Baig, founder of Build Solar, said:

“BIPV is a growing industry with a 16% annual growth rate. Setting up a company, which can cater to this growing market shall prove beneficial for the UK economy in the long term.”

Professor Tapas Mallick, chief scientific advisor for Build Solar, said:

“We are aiming to build integrated, affordable, efficient and attractive solar technologies, which have the smallest impact on the local landscape. It’s an exciting venture and one that should capture the imagination of the construction industry, when looking to develop new office blocks and public buildings or infrastructure projects such as train stations and carparks.”

For more information about Solar Squared, please visit Build Solar's website.

[edit] Find out more

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Future of electricity in domestic buildings.
• Glass block flooring.
• Glass for buildings.
• Microgeneration.
• Solar photovoltaics.
• Solar thermal systems.
• Sustainable materials.
• Tau - the solar powered island.
• Zero carbon homes.