SABIC’s Innovative Plastics strategic business unit, a producer of thermoplastic resins, coatings, specialty compounds, film, and sheet, has introduced new polycarbonate (PC) building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels, to meet the increasing demand for solar power. Lexan BIPV panels are ideal for glazing, cladding and roofing applications.
Lexan BIPV panel
SABIC has developed Lexan BIPV panel along with Solbian Energie Alternative, a producer of novel flexible photovoltaic (PV) solutions. The panel is made using Lexan Thermoclear PC sheet and Solbian’s flexible laminated crystalline PV cells. It offers increased energy production, easy installation, good thermal insulation and greater design freedom to builders and architects.
Lexan BIPV panel is a highly durable, unbreakable and ultraviolet (UV)-protected material. Design freedom is one of the key advantages offered by Lexan BIPV panels. They can be cold bended easily to create stylish, curved roofing systems by adding photovoltaic and daylighting.
SABIC’s innovative panels also offer high performance and they can decrease energy usage by up to 17% when compared to traditional double-pane glass glazing systems. They reduce glare and cooling load associated with architectural glazing. In addition, the panels are light weight that enables cost-effective transportation and allows fast and easy installation. Lexan BIPV panels can be used along with a lighter supporting steel framework than required by glass. Thus, the materials may decrease material and shipping costs.
Lexan BIPV panels are offered in a wide range of configurations, structures and colors: rectangular and X wall configurations; 10, 16, 20, 25 and 40 mm gauges; and gray, blue, green, bronze, white, opal and clear colors. The panels will be commercially available in the latter half of 2012.