Windows Of The Future

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Rainbow Solar Inc. (RSi) recently announced the world’s first, transparent, photovoltaic-glass window that generates 80 to 250 watts of electrical power, while saving up to 50% on heating and cooling requirements too.
This is the first production BIPV (building integrated photovoltaic) product of its kind, an enclosed super tempered glass window system, with a patent pending, fully integrated, multi-tier photovoltaic and heat insulation technology. Current production lines are capable of producing window sizes up to 9’ x 9’ (2.74m x 2.74m) with comprehensive options, such as fire and bullet proofing, to meet design, weather, climate, and building code requirements.
The RSi PV-Glass Window uses sunlight to generate electricity, reduce heat, and provide a semi-transparent window that allows for privacy, while maintaining a comfortable level of visibility to the outside world. At the same time, RSi PV-Glass Windows provide a 100% reduction in Ultraviolet and Infrared radiation, adding an extra level of protection not offered by standard glass windows.
RSi embedded many smart home technologies into the complete window system, including an optional built-in electrical privacy curtain, to completely block out an already shaded glass window, and a new technology that converts the entire window into a light panel.
RSi’s vision is of buildings that harvest their own energy from unlimited renewable sources. What the company ultimately proposes to do is to eliminate the need for electrical power plants, as well as the grid infrastructure so that the building itself becomes truly autonomous and fully sustainable in terms of electrical power.
Since one of the biggest heat losses from a home is through a glass window, it looks like RSi has a winning combination, stopping heat loss on cold days and keeping heat out on hot days, while generating electricity at the same time. Let’s hope the opaque windows also stop birds flying into windows and then the only remaining technical challenge is implementing self-cleaning windows.

10,000 Windows

Crystal Cathedral gets a wash down. GARDEN GROVE The glass panels of the Crystal Cathedral will likely have an added shimmer in the coming days as the sun's rays bounce off the Orange County landmark. That's because the Cathedral is getting its first wash down in two years. Why the hiatus? The cathedral has more than 10,000 windows of tempered silver-colored glass that are held in place by a lace-like frame of white steel trusses. Of course, cleaning it involves a lot of man hours, expense and special equipment, says Ed Quiroga, facilities director for the Cathedral. "It takes quite a lot of work to maintain a glass house like this one especially when it comes to washing it," he said. It's not your average window-washing job, but an elaborate two-week process. Five men are hoisted up in a specially designed basket by a crane. The basket is equipped with brushes on the side that spray de-ionized water with ammonia, he explains.
"The basket goes up and down with the men until all the windows are washed and cleaned," Quiroga said. The ammonia in the water prevents spots and streaks in the glass after it's cleaned, he said. They use at least 100 gallons of ammonia and tens of thousands of gallons of water. It takes a lot of preparatory work even before workers get to that stage. First they go up in a different basket and put suction cups on the glass to check for loose panels. "We want to fix it because it's the only way to minimize leaks inside the house," Quiroga says. The caulking takes a week and the washing itself lasts another week. Workers are preparing to wash down the Cathedral this week. Usually, this is an annual ritual, but the Cathedral hasn't been washed in two years because of the time and expense involved, Quiroga said. It also creates a scene with curious passers by stopping to look at the laborious process. "It's a lot of work and a lot of hours,'' Quiroga said. "But the Cathedral looks really beautiful right after it's done and we get a lot of comments about that."