Integrated Concentrating Solar Facade, Cast glass component,embedded photovoltaic solar cells

Abstract

Glass is one of the most remarkable building material in modern architecture. It has become more and more valued as a major construction material. It does not only provide continuous transparency but it can be applied as a main structural element due to its high load-bearing capacity. The structural system has already been realized in several architecture projects, but it is still limited. The main issue of a fully transparent glass facade is its poor thermal properties which would result a poor indoor environmental quality. Therefore, the current research is focusing on the development of a cast glass component with an integrated solar energy system. The new unit would work as a solar concentrator/ optical device, therefore it redirects the light rays into a certain area. As an implementation of the new unit, Crystal House is used as a case study where the existing glass components are replaced with the new smart bricks. The research has been done several levels with the main aim to create an innovative solar facade that can improve the indoor environmental quality and at the same time it can produce electricity to overcome the additional cooling cost.