Page 41 - Between light and shade

Light, transparency and reflection

electricity requirements). In these two cases, the
panels are still optimally oriented.

I am currently proposing a continuous enve-
lope of photovoltaic panels for all the opaque
sections of the external facades of the new buil-
ding for the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the
Free University of Brussels, on boulevard du
Triomphe in Ixelles.

This outward adornment, still in bluish-
black, contrasts with the white walls of interior
patios, intended to reflect natural light [01/570,
Fig. 14 and 15].

These panels provide an output of 180 Wp/m² 27
which would have only been 100 Wp/m² barely
10 years ago.

Moreover, emerging technology based on
organic components (“OPV” organic photo-
voltaic) could herald the arrival of transparent
panels.

Laminated and toughened glass
The impact resistance of fragile sheets of glass is
increased when they are made from one or more
layers bound together by one or more PVB (or

27 The output of the cell alone is currently 210 Wp/m², and 280
Wp/m² for space applications. As it is hard to imagine a city
where the buildings are all black, (almost) white photovoltaic
panels with an output of 90 Wp/m² are now emerging.
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