Photovoltaic windows are now a reality. There are various types but a Ukrainian company, SolarGaps, has designed the first roller shutters in the world capable of producing clean energy thanks to the sun.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himPhotovoltaic windows are now a reality. There are various types but a Ukrainian company, SolarGaps, has designed the first roller shutters in the world capable of producing clean energy thanks to the sun.
After 2 years of work and thanks also to a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, the company was able to finance the production of these special shutters, capable of producing about 150 Watts per hour, enough to power 30 LED bulbs.
The photovoltaic modules are located on each slat of the shutters. According to the creators, used instead of classic windows, they allow you to save up to 70% on your electricity bill, repaying the initial cost in a short time.
Company founder Yevgen Erik explains how he got the idea:
“I spent a day in the fields outside the city studying how sunflowers followed the sun ... then, I did research that showed that although solar modules are the cheapest of all other energy sources, they are the most effective "
At that point, he experimented with a series of solutions that automatically replicate the movements of the flowers in the presence of the sun. In this way, the shutters could orient themselves according to its position, absorbing the maximum amount of light, to the advantage of the production of electricity.
According to the team, a three-bedroom apartment with south-facing windows will be capable of producing up to 4 kilowatts per day. In an office or shop, up to 10 times more can be generated.
Surplus energy can be stored in a battery or sold to the power grid allowing you to take advantage of peak loads and daily fluctuations in electricity consumption.
You can configure SolarGaps to match your needs. For example, it can be set to open automatically when you want to wake up or the shutters can remain closed at certain times, or when you want to sleep more.
SolarGaps can also open automatically when someone enters a room to make it brighter, with no need to turn on the light every time.
These special shutters are also smart. You can manage them remotely via apps for iOS and Android. They also connect to smart devices like Google Home, Echo, Nest.
To find out the costs, you can contact SolarGaps HERE
READ also:
- Photovoltaic windows that also act as thermal insulators and halve the costs for heating and electricity
- Photovoltaic windows that change color to produce more clean energy
Francesca Mancuso
