by Rebecca Walker — April 16, 2010—Generating solar energy from modular glass panels that are attractive from a design standpoint was the inspiration behind a joint development project involving Solarmer Energy and Joel Berman Glass Studios.
Solarmer Energy develops transparent, flexible solar panels for applications not addressable by conventional solar energy technology. Joel Berman Glass Studios designs and manufactures decorative glass for architecture and design. Together, they developed a decorative glass panel that is capable of generating clean renewable electricity.
The decorative and photovoltaic glass panels feature Joel Berman Glass Studios signature textured kiln-cast glass laminated to Solarmer Energys transparent plastic solar cells. The resulting composite panels are suitable for use in applications where decorative glass is desired and generation of solar energy is feasible, says Solarmer Energy.
The materials and manufacturing technologies employed by Solarmer Energy result in a lower cost alternative to traditional silicon-based solar technologies. Solarmers thin, flexible photovoltaic panels are capable of converting solar energy into electricity in a particularly cost-effective manner. Paired with Joel Berman Glass Studios designer textured glass, the ensuing panels offer architects and designers an attractive and affordable means of integrating photovoltaics into building applications.
