Rapid Innovation Development of Energy Generating Windows for Zero- and Negative-Carbon Emission Buildings
Next Energy Technologies
Recipient
Santa Barbara, CA
Recipient Location
21st
Senate District
37th
Assembly District
$3,000,000
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
In 2023, work was done to fabricate, characterize, and test films and devices on 3.5” x 3.5” substrates and 14” by 20” substrates using benchtop R&D coaters to support large area coatings. Further improvements to coating trials were made to allow for completion of the demonstration wall. Work with glazing partners (subsequent to the fabricator) to make the framing system was successful based on the previous design of the demonstration wall structure and was completed on schedule or ahead of schedule.
In 2024, the project team completed all the remaining technical tasks and submitted the final project report. The project team constructed two demonstration walls, each with four 27” x 35” units meeting or exceeding all of the proposed specifications as well as one 40” x 60” standalone demonstration unit showing the commercial feasibility of the technology and toolsets built within the scope of this project.
View Final ReportThe Issue
By 2030, all new commercial buildings in California must be designed to zero net energy standards. While substantial progress has been made in making buildings more energy efficient, there are very few solutions for commercial buildings to include onsite renewable energy generation. Additionally, large commercial buildings often do not have enough, or any, free rooftop space for conventional photovoltaic solar panels. This has resulted in the focus of using the building’s façade where there is often a considerable surface area. However, for widespread adoption of building integrated photovoltaic windows, the market demands exceptional aesthetics of a standard window and a good return on investment. Current technologies on the market do not meet the critical requirements of aesthetics, high transparency, good power conversion efficiency, long lifetimes, and low cost.
Project Innovation
In this project, the project team fabricated and demonstrated energy-generating windows using all manufacturing methods and processes necessary for pilot production. Techniques that allow for easier fit and less disruption when introducing this technology into the window manufacturing industry and market were demonstrated.
Project Goals
Building a coating tool for the fabrication of organic photovoltaic modules capable of handling commercial window glass
Using the coating tool to fabricate films with high aesthetic quality suitable for commercial window applications
Building and installing a demonstration wall using modules fabricated on the large-area coating line
Project Benefits
NEXT has developed a first-of-its-kind window that generate energy and also exhibit the thermal performance of energy-efficient low-emissivity (low-e) windows. This technology provides the dual benefit of increasing the opportunity for buildings to support on-site generation, while also improving the thermal insulation of buildings, potentially reducing the need for heating and cooling.
Affordability
Affordability
The increased insulation and electric generation will lower the operation costs of commercial buildings in California.
Key Project Members
Corey Hoven, Ph.D.
CTO/Co-Founder
Next Energy Technologies, Inc.
Jeff Horowitz
Director, Business Development & Partnerships
Next Energy Technologies, Inc.
Bruno Caputo
Director, Large-Area Coating
Next Energy Technologies, Inc.
Autumn Walker
Technician
Next Energy Technologies, Inc.
Zoe Campbell
Technician
NEXT Energy Technologies, inc.
Anthony Barnes
Automation Engineer
NEXT Energy Technologies, Inc.
Allen Arakelian
Mechanical Engineer
NEXT Energy Technologies, Inc.
Subrecipients
Viracon, Inc.
Walters & Wolf Glass Company
GlassFab Tempering Services Inc.
Charles Lang
Bars Precision Inc.
Match Partners
Next Energy Technologies
Viracon, Inc.
Walters &
Wolf Glass Company
GlassFab Tempering Services Inc.
Charles Lang
Bars Precision Inc.
