Solar glass blocks are being developed by the University of Exeter to enable buildings to harness more clean energy. Sunlight touches buildings at nearly all angles, yet renewable resource research is limited to solar roofs and windows. In order to harness more energy, one company is hoping to replace opaque walls with these transparent glass blocks.
Referred to as Solar Squared, these blocks contain optical elements which focus on turning sunlight into usable energy. The blocks are designed to be wired to one another, providing an internal power source that feeds into the building's electrical grid. Clear walls would also allow buildings to illuminate naturally, effectively lowering the use of artificial light. Tints can additionally be placed on the transparent windows to ensure a room doesn't overheat with the increased exposure to the sunlight.
Energy-Harnessing Glass Blocks
These Solar Glass Blocks Aim to Naturally Illuminate Buildings
Trend Themes
1. Solar Glass Blocks - The development of solar glass blocks presents an opportunity to revolutionize the way buildings harness clean energy and reduce dependence on artificial lighting.
2. Internal Power Sources - The ability of solar glass blocks to be wired to one another and provide an internal power source could potentially disrupt the traditional reliance on external electricity providers.
3. Optical Element Technology - The use of optical elements in Solar Squared blocks represents an opportunity to amplify the efficiency of solar power technology.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Solar glass blocks can potentially disrupt the construction industry by serving as a new architectural design element with energy-saving capabilities.
2. Renewable Energy - The development of solar glass blocks represents a potential innovation within the renewable energy industry, offering an alternative form of energy production that can be widely utilized in buildings.
3. Lighting - The use of solar glass blocks as a natural source of lighting could potentially disrupt the lighting industry and lead to reduced dependence on artificial lighting.