Right now is a very exciting period of rapid change in the products available to generate solar energy and build a more sustainable future. Here are a few of the solar technologies we are most excited about.

Solar Glass

Think about how many windows are in the typical building. Imagine if all of that surface area could be put to work in generating solar power without an associated loss of natural light for the inhabitants. This dream is rapidly becoming a reality and company’s like Western Australia’s Clearvue Technologies Ltd (www.clearvuepv.com) are at the forefront of these developments.

Solar Roof Tiles

From currently available solar modules to simple white paint, building rooftops have long been a logical place to look to harness the environmental benefits of the sun. Now, it appears that roofing materials with embedded solar cells are about to change the way we think about building and powering homes. Aesthetically pleasing, Tesla’s new roof tiles (www.tesla.com) or Australia’s own Tractile (www.tractile.com.au) are among the companies leading in this space.

Solar Paint and Thin Films

Developing photovoltaic microstructures that can be used to cover a wide range of surfaces is for many of us, the ‘holy grail’ of solar commercialisation. There are a lot of research laboratories around the world working on ways to create various coverings and membranes for use in a wide variety of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), transportation and wearable applications. For an example of a company that is working to commercialise this area, check out Nanoflex Power Corporation (www.nanoflexpower.com).

At Simmark we are always following new technologies and want to be at the vanguard of new product adoption for our customers.

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