Vitro Certified™ Newsletter

What Fabricators Should Know About Solarvolt™ BIPV Modules

A Q&A with Product Manager, Lauren Black

In March, Vitro Architectural Glass launched its first ever energy-generating product: Solarvolt™ building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glass modules. Seamlessly integrated into the building structure, Solarvolt™ BIPV modules unveil new possibilities for renewable power generation and glass design.

Product Manager, Lauren Black, was central to the launch of Solarvolt™ BIPV modules. Over the past several months, she has been mobilizing our sales, marketing and technical teams. She is currently responsible for pricing and quoting and training our Commercial Account Managers and National Architectural Managers on the product. She also assists customers and Vitro Certified™ Network members with ROI calculations and making sure projects stay on schedule. The Vitro team asked Lauren about some of the key BIPV considerations for Vitro Certified™ Fabricators.

Q: Why is Vitro getting into the photovoltaics category?

A: Around the world, there are major initiatives driving sustainability and CO₂-free energy. Vitro has always prioritized sustainability, even going back to the PPG days. With new legislation being proposed and passing all the time, we expect BIPV to take the market in a new direction in terms of CO₂-free power.

Plus, the cost of solar cells has gone down significantly in recent years. The government has supported the industry in lowering the costs with the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). It has played a role in the growth of BIPV and solar cells — and the bigger the volume, the lower the cost.

Q: How is Solarvolt™ BIPV different from other manufacturers’ BIPV products?

A: Right now, Solarvolt™ BIPV is the only BIPV product that is manufactured in North America — or even in the Americas in general. Our competitors are all manufacturing their BIPV and shipping it overseas.

We can be price-competitive because we don’t have those transportation costs. This also helps us keep project timelines on track. Our performance and product lifespan are also within the range of competitive products.

Q: It’s possible some Vitro Certified™ Network members have never worked with a PV or BIPV product before. What should they know? How does Solarvolt™ BIPV work with existing Vitro Glass products?

A: There are a lot of parallels between traditional glass products and BIPV units. Solarvolt™ BIPV is available with every single Vitro glass substrate and coating. We take the glass from Vitro stock — say, Solarban^® 70 clear glass — then laminate the solar cells between the glass lites. The Solarban^® coating is placed behind the cells, on the third surface of the IGU. The coating should not be placed on the first or second surface to avoid interfering with solar cell performance.

In terms of substrates, low-iron glass will deliver the best energy generation performance, but architects will need to choose the right substrate based on aesthetic and performance needs.

If you’re fabricating an IGU, the manufacturing process will be somewhat different, mainly due to the lead wires that must come out of the unit. There are multiple ways to address this challenge, such as retrofitting the leads into existing framing systems.

The glass thickness is within the compatible range of traditional glass framing systems. Even though it’s laminated, the glass can be as thin as 6mm and up to 24mm thick. The maximum panel size is 146″ x 98″. The framing systems themselves are similar to traditional framing, with the exception of the lead wires and the cover and gasket system.

Q: What should fabricators know about project timelines and the supply chain?

A: We are currently developing a new Solarvolt™ program that Vitro Certified™ Fabricators will be able to opt into. This program will provide members with detailed technical training and project logistics support, so they should look out for information in the coming weeks and months.

Right now, it’s probably helpful to know that Vitro is both the seller and manufacturer of the BIPV units themselves, specifically the laminated glass lites. Vitro then works with a mechanical installer, who prepares the framing system with the solar cells, which the glass integrates into. An installer then places them into IGUs.

To install them in a building, fabricators will work with an electrical installer familiar with BIPV installations, or a certified electrician to install the electrical components and set up the inverter system that feeds power into the building.

Lead times will be determined based on each project and will be dependent on the size of the order.

Q: What kind of state will the product be when it arrives at a fabricator’s receiving department?

Solarvolt™ BIPV will arrive as a laminated glass product, with the solar cells laminated between two pieces of PVB and two pieces of glass, forming a sandwich. There also will be two electrical leads coming out of the glass. We also connect what’s called a “J-box,” which will link the panels to each other.

Q: What should fabricators do if they’re interested in learning more or working with Solarvolt™ BIPV?

A: They can contact their Commercial Account Manager, who will work with me and Nathan McKenna, our marketing and innovation director.

Once our Solarvolt™ fabricator program is active, interested members can opt-in. The program will entail a full-day training to explain the product and participants will earn a certificate. Additional training may also cover the framing and electrical systems, as well as the retrofit process.

Q: This is a brand new venture for Vitro. How are you ensuring a high-quality product?

A: We have a rigorous Quality Assurance process in place. On the production line, we use a flasher system that mimics the sun and confirms the wattage output produced by the solar cells. We then compare that output against what the panel should, in theory, produce. If it doesn’t meet that performance target, the product won’t go out.

We work with Illumimex, a subsidiary of Vitro, to conduct these tests through their systems. These tests are required for any solar cells or solar panels in the U.S. There’s also a 10-year warranty — 10 years after purchase, the glass should still meet 90% of its original performance target.

To get in touch with Lauren, email her at lblack@vitro.com. Contact your Commercial Account Manager for more information about working with Solarvolt™ BIPV modules.