Solar Glass at Hong Kong Science Park
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 09.28.06
Can you see the solar glass incorporated into this building at the Hong Kong Science Park? It's the darker blue glass. The electricity is generates is fed back into the grid. Solar glass is a kind of solar installation called BIPV or Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics. It basically a kind of solar cell that can be incorporated into a house or building in a virtually seamless way. Solar glass generates electricity, while still being aesthetically pleasing, and it occupies building surfaces that would otherwise require reflective glass and window shades to avoid the sun's heat.
The only drawback to solar glass is that doesn't produce much electricity, and it's fairly expensive (about fives times as much as regular glass, not counting components such as wiring and inverters).
On a strict analysis of energy cost savings, integrated solar glass rarely pays for itself. But that doesn't deter architects and owners around the world from installing it. Solar glass generates electricity at a predictable cost, qualifies for financial incentives and often has publicity value. Not to mention the uniqueness of a building with custom glazing that generates electricity.
See also: The LumiWall: Solar Glass That Lights Up At Night
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Not to mention the price will go down. This would seem to be the most desirable way to harness the suns energy once costs go down and thes panels are available to the average consumer.
If my eyes do not decieve then the solar panels are mounted as internal light shelves (horizontal plane, near top of fenestrations). That means they have dual funtionality, moving light up to the ceiling where it will reflect back down to interior work stations, at low contrast. Efficiency therefore should add in the supplanted electrical consumption.
In reply to the previous comment . solar glass is imtegral to the glass , it doesn't have to be a shelf or anything behind the glass . I don't know in this case but it can be an additional layer capturing solar energy . As an architect I will remember this . You can read about solar glass here and here .
At the moment it looks as fashionable technology but gradually as the prices go down and the technology improves , it will definately be very useful and economical .
We need to get away from thinking that everything associated with energy use has to pay for itself. Energy efficiency should be its own reward. Do we expect paint to pay for itself? No, and yet when our rooms begin to look dingy we repaint them. Will new furniture ever pay for itself? Hardly, yet we keep buying it.
Wow, that's amazing.
One day we'll all be working (or playing) in solar-walled buildings (complete with real light and real air), drive solar-painted cars and walk around in solar-suits... ok maybe not the last one. :)
v.
Maybe not solar-suits but definitely shiny silver suits.
AFAIK : It's not allowed to sell electricity back to the grid in HK. Thats why there is NO solar panels on any commercial building here. There is *no* sustainable electricity in HK, yet it's windy, sunny, sits in a tidal coastline. We have one 'experimental' wind turbine. This token experiment has been deemed a failure (electricity : too expensive).
The electrity companies are in duopoly: this doesn't lead them to being progressive. It's a scandal - this is typical of this place!
Where can I buy Solar GLass? I would appreciate contacting manufactures in China. Can anyone help?
Does anyone know:-whether there are any subsidies for the installation of photovoltaic systems in residential premises in HK - are there any plans to allow private property owners to enter surplus into the grid , and what would the cost be for an East facing small balcony installation of 48 sq feet. in Discovery Bay ( photvoltac cells, bateries,approx installatio costs) Finally are there any basic considerations I should take into account. Any pointers would be great. thanks
well.that is great.when i in hong kong science park.i can know that exactly
i think this is the new industry and it will succeed even when the initial cost is high but then we will recieve electricity for free and for ever.. but can anyone tell me how they do the connections between these modules, is it inside the Aluminium frames? and does such system has junction box???