by Shane Henson — March 23, 2012—Guardian Industries, a global manufacturer of float glass, fabricated glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for commercial, residential and automotive applications, and Pythagras Solar, a provider of building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products, recently announced they are partnering to manufacture and market SunGuard Photovoltaic Glass Units (PVGU) for commercial buildings.
According to both companies, Guardian SunGuard PVGU, powered by Pythagoras, combines Pythagoras Solar PVGU tiles with SunGuard advanced architectural glass to create a building-integrated photovoltaic product. This replaces standard vision and spandrel glass or skylights, with a glass product that converts direct sunlight into energy.
The production-ready SunGuard PVGU will help architects and building owners who are looking for solutions to achieve net-zero buildings. The product lets in diffused light, increases energy efficiency and generates electricity from the building façade, helping projects achieve new “green” energy codes. Additionally, BIPV projects may be eligible to earn substantial federal tax credits. SunGuard PVGU is the first in what will be many new developments from the Guardian SunGuard Advanced Glazing Products family, say both companies.
