Canadian solar technology manufacturer Mitrex has announced the launch of a new solar-integrated façade cladding that mimics the look of traditional brick.
The technology, called Solar Brick, can be applied to new or existing buildings and is suitable for recladding or over-cladding.
These “bricks” can generate up to 330W per panel. Panels vary in size but can be customizable up to 6.5 x 12 ft. Mitrex argues that limits in panel size have been a constraint on builders and architects. They explain:
“restrictions in panel size hamper the ability of architects to design buildings with complete creative freedom. In contrast, Mitrex Solar Facade panels overcome this problem because they can vary both in size and shape, adapting to the needs of architects as required.”
Given the prevalence of brick in Canada, especially among older urban buildings, this technology offers building owners the opportunity to incorporate the newest renewable energy tech without having to drastically change their architectural aesthetics.
Mitrex says their panels can include a textured glass, for a more authentic look, although they note that texturing does reduce the efficiency of the panels.
Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Projects
Their recently completed Solar Brick project is a 59kW system spanning over 4,000 ft. sq. on a post-war era building. And while the size is impressive, it’s not the biggest project they have on the go.
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Mitrex is also in the process of installing Ontario’s largest BIPV wall in an industrial area of Etobicoke, Ontario. At over 7,000 ft. sq., the wall will be able to generate 100kW and is expected to produce 90,000kWh of energy per year.
The company hopes to effect a “paradigm shift in the construction industry” with projects like these. They state that human-made buildings feature “huge unused surfaces which are usually unproductive. By installing this massive BIPV wall, Mitrex foresees a future where every surface can be converted into an energy-generating unit.”
These unused vertical surfaces offer a huge opportunity to expand the use of solar technology, especially in commercial and industrial sectors. And if it can look good, too, so much the better.
Image credit: Eric Prouzet
