Pythagoras Solar, a provider of innovative building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) products, has partnered with Guardian Industries, a diversified global manufacturing company, to produce and sell SunGuard Photovoltaic Glass Units (PVGU) for commercial applications.
Guardian’s SunGuard advanced architectural glass is combined with PVGU tiles from Pythagoras Solar to produce a BIPV product that has an ability to convert direct sunlight into electricity. The product will replace spandrel glass or skylights. Scott Thomsen, President of Guardian Glass Group, commented that the demand for the BIPV technology is increasing for commercial use and the collaboration will enable both the companies to offer products for energy efficient buildings.
SunGuard BIPV product will help building owners and architects to attain net-zero buildings. The product allows entry of diffused light, enhances energy efficiency and produces green energy from the building façade. Thus, SunGuard solutions help BIPV projects to achieve green energy codes and earn considerable federal tax credits.
SunGuard PVGU provides several benefits to building owners and architects, including energy savings, energy production, energy efficiency and architectural and aesthetic appeal. Guardian’s SunGuard units are transparent and offer significant energy savings by breaking the current trade-off between low transparency and high PV module efficiency. They also decrease solar heat gain, which results in reduced power demands on HVAC systems. SunGuard PVGU enhances a thermal barrier via its insulated unit and it generates electricity, which is comparable to silicon PV modules. The product is available in a variety of glass configurations and sizes. Guardian’s SunGuard units feature flexible design, which allows easier integration into the buildings.