OREANDA-NEWS. Merck, a leading science and technology company, announced today that it is collaborating with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) producer Polysolar, and innovation center CPI for a project in the UK. The Innovate UK project called "Power Generating & Energy Saving Windows" aims to enable windows of the future to generate their own solar power as well as provide greater thermal control.

The project addresses the construction industry's need for so-called zero carbon buildings by developing a transparent BIPV window that is capable of both generating power and controlling temperature. The commercialization of such a device will reduce building energy costs while offering architects greater freedom in structural design.

Transparent solar glazing panels are easy to install in conventional framing, making them ideal also for surface applications such as windows, skylights, facades and roofing. The use of organic photovoltaics is attractive for a number of sectors because it is adaptable, lightweight, transparent and low-cost.

"We are excited to be part of this important project. This presents a unique opportunity to further develop the commercial use of gray OPV modules and to drive more widespread adoption of BIPV," said Brian Daniels, Head of the Advanced Technologies business unit at Merck.

The project builds upon the partners' existing early-stage research to develop a commercially viable power-generating window at demonstration scale based on organic photovoltaic technology. An upgraded version of the recently launched semitransparent gray-colored lisicon formulation from Merck is a key element that will be further improved to help take this technology from a prototype to the market. The OPV window demonstrator will seek to achieve similar installation costs, transparency, performance and lifetime to that of high-performance glazing currently used in industry, while delivering energy yields comparable to those obtained by conventional photovoltaics in a vertical orientation.