NET-POSITIVE GLASS BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE Amber Gupta - Accredited Professional, Onyx Solar Energy

The Building of the Year 2018: The Life Sciences Building at the University of Washington, designed by Perkins+Will, benefits from first-of-its-kind Onyx Solar photovoltaic fin system on the curtain wall. Credit: © Onyx Solar Energy

and the breakthrough building material that’s making it happen today

Amber Gupta, Onyx Solar

The year 2018 saw the completion of a beautiful building in the same city of the USA where another excellent project was delivered only a few years before, by the same architect, for the same client. Both buildings were comparable in size and the purpose they were built for.

Excellent design for both utilised a range of green building strategies that saw them receive LEED Gold certification. The projects were highly sustainable, meeting the stringent environmental requirements they had set out to achieve. The client was pleased with the outcome.

However, there was a difference.

Transforming facade into energy harvesting array:

The Life Sciences Building (LSB) benefitting from using Onyx Solar photovoltaic glass on facade. Credit: © Onyx Solar Energy

Fast forward a few years, one building went almost unnoticed, while the other is still making headlines; with people still talking about it today. It has become a ‘must see’ architecture for people visiting the area. It won numerous awards, including the Best Multi-Functional Curtain Wall Project Award at the Sustainable Building Awards 2018 by Build Magazine, the Sustainability Award by CABE (Chartered Association of Building Engineers of UK) at the 2019 Built Environment Awards, and the COTE 2021 Top 10 Sustainable Awards in the USA.

What was the difference?

Besides having excellent teams of architects and developers involved, the winning project had incorporated a unique, first-of-its-kind innovation in the USA. It featured a transparent photovoltaic (PV) glass fin, turning the aesthetically pleasing design into a renewable, solar energy harvesting, vertical curtain wall. Later in this article we will find that, in using this technology, any building surface (walls, façades, curtain walls, windows, skylights, roofs, floors) can produce free and clean energy.

Credit: © Onyx Solar Energy

That is not all. The project also won the prestigious Building of the Year Award 2018 by the Daily Journal of Commerce, finishing ahead of some of the most iconic buildings ever built, including The Space Needle, F5 Tower/ The Mark and the Amazon Spheres in Seattle, Washington. What is exciting about the technology used by the winning project, the Life Sciences Building (LSB) at the University of Washington (UW), are the ramifications for future builds. A city’s largest glass buildings could be transformed into giant solar panels, while looking indistinguishable from a standard glass-clad building.

The PV curtain wall delivered numerous benefits. It offered improved thermal performance by providing shading in the summer; helps generate enough energy to power a good portion of the building's energy usage; reduced operational costs; unlocked environmental and operational benefits not attainable using traditional glazing; reduces emissions by 333 tCO2 (over a calculated period of 35 Yrs.). And, notably from a financial perspective, it offered a fantastic payback period of fewer than three years.

Onyx Solar Energy innovated, designed, and manufactured the smart PV glass, a unique solution that’s helping us transform real estate globally. We received Build Magazine's Best Building Photovoltaic Glass Provider 2018 award for this project.

This story has and will be repeated worldwide. Thousands of new buildings, from small residential to high-rise, and renovation projects (of existing building stock) will be delivered. There is enormous environmental potential that is waiting to be tapped into by innovative technologies like Onyx Solar PV glass.

Credit: © Onyx Solar Energy Architects and developers face unique challenges to minimise the negative impacts of architecture on society, the environment and the economy. When key design objectives are applied, from the planning phase to operations and maintenance, a choice in building material can make a tremendous difference. It can turn the project from a net-user of energy to a net-producer. Indeed, we have not yet finished innovating the most promising renewable energy solution on earth - solar energy.

By the end of this article, it will be evident that beautiful glass buildings can be more sustainable than ever before and generate their own energy without compromising aesthetics and energy performance.

Climate Change is Happening Right Now

The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly dire and deadly with extreme conditions such as wildfires, flooding, storms, and droughts that have impacted millions of lives. The challenge of reducing our global emissions from 51 billion to zero is the "greatest challenge humankind has ever faced". The latest annual sustainability report by RICS and the World Built Environment Forum reveals that the built environment is still not moving fast enough to decarbonise building stock. In a sector responsible for more than onethird of all emissions, where we have not yet minimised the impact of existing builds, and where scores of new developments are soon to join the ranks (to the tune of an equivalent New York City every month for the next 40 years), the prospect of net-zero is challenging to say the least. The good news for professionals working in the built environment, is that they can drive change. Critical decisions in building materials, waste, energy sources, water, health enhancement in buildings, more cost-efficient and attractive design options will have a significant impact.

Recently, US Climate Envoy John Kerry said that solving climate change will require "technologies we don't yet have", which holds validity to some extent and certainly adds to the concern. It is also true that numerous (existing) sustainable market-ready breakthroughs that can transform industries are not always obvious to decision-makers.

© Onyx Solar Energy

The work I have been involved with within the built environment has given me optimism that technology and innovation can make a difference if we invent and deploy them fast enough. I am privileged to share a new paradigm of solar renewable energy and push the agenda of leveraging innovation to build sustainable buildings of the future, today.

Imagining the building material of the Future

More buildings will require more energy to accommodate an estimated 6.7 billion people living in cities by 2050. How will these buildings be constructed? Is there a way to address the increase in energy use and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions simultaneously?

The National Geographic Magazine 'Cities' (April 2019 Ed.) published an article attempting to answer the key question "How to build cities of the future (2050 and beyond)?" In his article 'Cities of the Future', Peter J. Kindel of SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Inc) provides an insightful and futuristic vision for future cities, ecosystems and energy-smart buildings. According to SOM and the National Geographic article, the energy-efficient and sustainable building material of the future should have the following key features:

1. Allow renewable energy generation from the sun using buildings walls, windows, and other surfaces. 2. Boost the energy performance of the building envelope. 3. A transparent material allowing natural light into the building, mitigating reliance on artificial lighting.

What if a building material already exists that can match these criteria? Moreover, what if it is not just an idea but a proven solution used in hundreds of projects by the most renowned architects and developers across the globe?

At Onyx Solar, located in Spain, we have developed the building material envisioned in the preceding paragraphs. The futuristic idea of generating energy from a building’s walls and windows is no longer science fiction.

Introducing Onyx Solar transparent photovoltaic (PV) architectural glass for buildings. We have developed transparent photovoltaic glass (not to be confused with solar panels) – the only building material that replaces standard glazing and embeds a solar panel's energy generation capability into any building surface, without compromising aesthetics and energy performance. We have

The Building Material of the Future:

The National Geographic Magazine 'Cities' (April 2019 Ed.) published the work of SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Inc) and the National Geographic team envisioning the cities of the future (2050 and beyond). It indicated some critical features of sustainable building materials of the future. Credits: @National Geographic @SOM

Think Vertical:

A new paradigm in solar renewable energy is reshaping our city's unutilised vertical built surfaces into a solution for climate change. Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

turned city skyscrapers into vertical generators, delivered more than 400 projects globally, from tall buildings to residential projects, in 50 countries covering all industries (Government, Healthcare, Commercial, Transportation, Retail, Corporate and Education) and building typologies.

With sustainability at the forefront of most activities today, our solution helps our clients not only reduce emissions and meet net-zero goals, but also future-proof their projects. World renowned brands and asset owners have already benefitted from this solution including: Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Heineken, Pfizer, Hewlett Packard, McDonald`s, ING, AXA IM, to mention a few. We have worked on iconic developments with renowned architects/partners globally such as Foster + Partners, SOM, Perkins+Wills, Gensler, Skanska and HB Reavis.

"Most Innovative Glass": A Breakthrough Engineering

In 2015, Onyx Solar Low-E transparent PV glass received the "Most Innovative Glass" award from the National Association of Glass in the United States and the Association of Doors and Windows Dealers at the prestigious Glass Magazine Awards.

While the world also focuses on solving the “cement and steel problems”, there is glass. An Urban Green Council (UGC) report stated that "todays glass building envelopes will contribute to carbon emissions long into the future unless we curb our appetite for them". We beg to differ! Today, we have high-performance glass available in the marketplace that provides better insulation and daylighting to reduce energy loads and offer optimum energy performance.

But given the current climate crisis, can we do any better?

As some “environmentally-conscious” architects move away from using too much glass under the assumption that it is unsustainable, this breakthrough material, a marriage between PV panels and high-performance architectural glazing, solves this problem for the construction industry.

Consistent innovation has enabled Onyx Solar Energy to offer a unique solution unlike anything available in the marketplace:

• A building material that replaces standard glazing and embeds a solar panel's energy generation capability into any building surface (among other architectural applications) without compromising the building's aesthetics, energy performance and maintenance. • Boosts the energy performance of the building envelope, with exceptional Energy

Rating performance, thanks to the optimised balance of solar gain (g-value) and thermal insulation (U-value). • The highest rating in fire safety standards (Class A) • Transparent photovoltaic glass lets natural light into the building, so we don't rely as much on artificial lighting. • Offers excellent thermal & sound insulation (0.6 W/sqmK) while filtering 99% UV & up to 95% IR, offering comfort indoors. • A building material that pays for itself with an attractive ROI and payback period demonstrated in projects across five continents.

A New Paradigm of Solar Renewable Energy: Think Vertical

Historically, solar panels have been the ‘go-to’ in renewable energy sources. However, relying on land (solar farms) and building rooftops, many of which are unsuitable, creates limited opportunities. Arguably, their greatest pitfall is where to put them as they render a space almost unusable. In addition, limited available land for solar panels that would generate sufficient energy for a country’s needs, make such a solution unviable. To illustrate this, Singapore would require 830%, Hong Kong 213% and Bahrain 156% of their land for any meaningful energy generation (Source: Finder. com). As cities get denser and energy demands increase, we need innovation.

And there is a potential solution in plain sight, you just need to know where to look.

We have vast building surfaces in the form of facades, curtain walls and windows. These vertical surfaces in our cities’ buildings have remained unused, with little to no contribution to solving the climate challenge. What if we could utilise these surfaces to harvest renewable solar energy and unlock their full potential – turning net users into net producers of energy?

Well, we can. With the latest technology, we can build beautiful looking glass buildings and tall skyscrapers that are future-proof.

Whatever future buildings may look like, whether floating in the sky or constructed by AI, one thing is for sure; they must be entirely energy sufficient. Given the need of the hour, not utilising the immense vertical building surfaces to our advantage is not an option. It will be unsustainable to keep building our future cities and only rely on far afield solar farms to power them.

We have not had the right technology to make this happen until now.

Transforming Glass Buildings from Net-Users to Net-Producers: Case Studies

While high-performance glazing is a good choice for our city’s skyscrapers, it may not be enough. Given ambitious climate goals, meeting the minimum requirements is insufficient. In the following case studies, we delve into the benefits of PV panels and the iconic projects that have utilised them:

THE HIGHEST-SCORING LEED PLATINUM OFFICE BUILDING IN EUROPE, 2021:

GIOIA 22 Tower in Milan, Italy, may look just like any other glass building, but thanks to Onyx Solar photovoltaic glass, the façade is producing enough energy to power 300 average residential homes. Also called "shard of glass", it is the largest building in Italy designed and constructed according to Near Zero Energy Building standards (NZEB), aligned to the EU 2°C decarbonisation target by 2050. Project designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners and developed by COIMA.

PHOTOVOLTAIC SKYLIGHT FOR NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICAL HQ, NEW JERSEY, USA:

Designed by Rafael Viñoly, the photovoltaic skylight, measuring 2,500 m2 with a power capacity of 340 Wp, generates over 273,000 kWh per year, reducing nearly 185 tons of CO2 emissions. Credits: © Onyx Solar Energy

ICONIC BUILDINGS IN DUBAI EXCELS IN SUSTAINABILITY:

Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) R&D Centre and Dubai Frame used highly innovative coloured photovoltaic façades developed to meet the project needs, allowing these buildings to generate energy without compromising aesthetics and energy performance. Credits above: @Onyx Solar Energy

THE LARGEST INTEGRATED PHTOVOPTAIC FAÇADE SYSTEM IN CYPRUS:

Cyprus International University’s Science and Technology Centre is a unique project installed approximately 1,000 m2 of PV glass to reduce HVAC energy demands by almost 43% with an IRR of less than three years. Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

AN AWARD-WINNING OFFICE BUILDING:

Culver City Creative (C3), designed by GENSLER is an award-winning project that integrates a photovoltaic curtain wall of 743 m2 (8,000 sq. ft). This aesthetic architectural solution will generate 30,976 kWh and will prevent the release of 20,754 Kg of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

THE FIRST SPORTS FACILITY TO RECEIVE GOLD RECERTIFICATION:

The NBA Miami Heat Stadium, USA, also known as the “American Airlines Arena”, used circular photovoltaic skylights preventing the release of 20 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, contributed to becoming the first sports and entertainment centre to obtain the LEED Gold recertification. Also received Most Innovative Photovoltaic Glass Project 2016 by Build Magazine. The image in the inset is © Onyx Solar Energy Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

McDONALD’S FIRST NET-ZERO RESTAURANT:

The first of its kind amongst the fast-food giant's 40,000-plus restaurants, the one at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is utilising several traditional green technologies; however, added in the mix is innovative Onyx Solar transparent photovoltaic glass for the skylight helping maximise the generation of on-site renewables. Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

How to reduce emissions: Efficiency is key, but renewable is critical

The three strategies of addressing emissions from energy consumption in buildings can be explained by the Energy Pyramid:

The first steps to energy conservation include: changes in the behaviour of occupants (in terms of energy consumption), zoning of heating and cooling units, building envelope/ fabric choice, insulation and ventilation strategies. Whilst energy efficiency approaches involve choosing suitable heating and cooling equipment as well as ensuring energy efficiency through low energy lighting such as LEDs, adequate external lighting and the use of motion sensors, monitored by smart meters (to mention a few).

Addressing renewable energy generation as a key opportunity for tackling energy-related emissions is a crucial step to a sustainable future. The RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge notes maximising on-site renewable energy as one of the key strategies to achieving ambitious onsite energy goals.

On-site energy intensity reduction is essential. Numerous industry experts and research points to the fact that decentralised renewable generation is the future; it is the most reliable, cost-effective and sustainable option. However, in the past we have failed due to a lack of innovation in achieving viable solutions in our

EFFICIENCY IS KEY, BUT RENEWABLE IS KEY

Credits: Image courtesy of www.greenrevolutionltd.com

city’s skyscrapers. The Citi Tower, for example, may be able to source all renewable energy from far afield solar farms; however, the best outcome would be for the façade of the building to pay for its own electricity and take free and clean energy from the Sun and not the grid.

Rebuild or retrofit? Decarbonising existing building stock

Retrofitting an existing building can often be more cost-effective than new builds. Indeed, a significant percentage of the building stock that will be in use in 2050 has already been built. This puts into context the challenge we are facing.

Existing standard solutions for retrofitting can be complicated and less effective due to their interconnections with an existing building’s infrastructure. However, the process is simplified with Onyx’s Solar PV Glass through ease of installation. So much so, that traditional installers, with no previous experience of the Onyx Solar product, will be able to install the solution onto an existing building.

RETROFIT PHOTOVOLTAIC SECOND-SKIN FAÇADE REDUCES ENERGY INTENSITY BY 35%:

COCA-COLA/FEMSA bottling plant in Mexico upgrades the existing building to the net-zero economy reducing 11 Tons of CO2 emissions. The installation didn't require stripping from the existing fabric of the building or vacating it. Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

1950s BUILDING RENOVATION:

The renovation of Freedom building incorporates a PV facade, providing it with additional electrical efficiency and sustainability. Credits: © SALEM MOSTEFAOUI FOR PCA-STREAM

RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS:

Photovoltaic façade cladding generates renewable energy while offering the highest rated fire safety (Class A). Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND SKYLIGHT IN THE USA & CANADA:

Bell Works & Edmonton Convention Centre are great examples of renovation projects that replaced old skylights with photovoltaic glass. They are transparent, allow natural light to come into the building, and future-proof these projects. Credits: ©Onyx Solar Energy

Not just the Built Environment

From outdoor furniture to self-sustained bus stops, Onyx Solar PV glass has been utilised outside of buildings. Here are some applications transforming several industries:

Roof tiles that pay the electricity bills: Our photovoltaic tiles are a breakthrough innovation like no others. It installs just like regular tiles but offers renewable energy generation capabilities.

Outdoor Furniture that generates energy from the sun: We developed a pioneering photovoltaic kit that enables outdoor furniture to generate clean, free energy from the sun. The kit consists of a photovoltaic glass module and the electrical materials necessary to connect electronic devices (mobile telephones, laptop computers, tablets, etc.) via a USB port. The table also works in shaded areas using our A-si glass. Furniture manufacturers are already using our kit to build beautiful pieces. It may not be that far in the future that all furniture manufacturers will offer photovoltaic lines, allowing their customers to charge mobiles from the sun.

Street Furniture: From bus stops to shelters for public transport, the application of our PV glass is boundless.

Generate energy where there is Asphalt: Our Acoustic photovoltaic barrier on road networks can make the vision of green roads possible.

Savvy Financial Investment

While ROI and payback are critical to all decision-making, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to decarbonise a project should not be traded off against improving the bottom-line. The good news is that Onyx Solar glass is not only an investment towards a more sustainable future, but it is also a wise financial investment offering attractive payback periods. Whether it's sunny Spain or not so sunny Canada, implementations in five continents have proven that this building material makes economic sense for our clients.

Here are some of the key benefits of using photovoltaic glass:

• Future proofing new developments and the safeguarding of existing portfolios against climate change. • Delivering energy goals, reducing emissions

and improving resilience by maximising onsite renewable generation. • Reduced operational costs. Significantly offset energy demand for indoor air conditioning, reduced HVAC size and usage. • PV glass thermal insulation can also reduce up to 45% on energy demand. • Offers value for investors and tenants by increasing building sustainability, resulting in lower void periods. • Increased rental value by up to 11%. • Helps achieve green building certification standards. What LEDs have done for energy-efficient lighting; Onyx Solar PV glass has done for sustainable building development. Indeed, cutting-edge glass is greener.

People want to go green

With the help of my friend Bachu Rajeshwar, a climate activist, CEO, Forbes 30 under 30, and co-founder of several sustainability ventures, we managed to reach out to a large audience and run a survey. The survey asked if participants would like to have standard glazing or photovoltaic glass on the apartments they live in or places they work. 94% of people voted

to have photovoltaic glass installed instead of ordinary glazing. In addition, The National Association of Homebuilders survey also noted that the majority of the younger generation of homebuyers wanted built-in environmentally green and sustainable features.

Technology will enable change, but leadership will make it happen

Technology has transformed the way we design, build and utilise buildings; from 3D printing project models and Virtual Reality to enable better planning, to utilising drones to survey areas from a bird’s eye view, innovation is pathing the way forward. How can technology help us innovate towards sustainability in the built environment? Existing solutions such as sensors that turn lights on, Artificial Intelligent thermostats that analyse household habits and adjust accordingly, AI software that sends an alarm to smartphones if faucets are left running are all key examples of sustainable best practice. The marginal gains from each of these sustainable solutions, together, contribute to the net-zero aspirations of a project. PV glass has its role to play, tapping the benefits of existing and future vertical spaces that can contribute to a greener and energy-producing building. Smart buildings with smart systems and onsite energy generation can save resources and money.

To deal with climate emergency, the leadership teams in organisations, governments, and businesses will need to adapt and deliver clear strategies that benefit us as a species – whether through policies, setting new agendas, allocating funds, innovating new technologies, the future is in our hands.

Amber Gupta, Accredited Professional, Onyx Solar Energy

Amber Gupta received his master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Sussex (UK), and has worked in the area of technology ever since. He currently focuses on driving sustainability in the built environment. Amber started his collaboration with Onyx Solar Energy in 2020 and saw what impact innovative technology could have on the construction industry. He advises organisations, architects, developers and leadership teams to make decisions with potential long-term consequences for the planet while achieving their business objectives in real estate development and renovation of existing stock.

Email: info@onyxsolar.com Phone: +34 920 21 00 50 Website: www.onyxsolar.com

Coming Soon…

IGS Summer 2022

Now more than ever, industry is in need of innovation. The climate crisis, pandemic and rising populations have made us fundamentally rethink the functioning of our cities, public spaces, buildings, and homes. There is widespread belief that the glass industry is traditionally quite conservative and perhaps slow moving compared to others – marred by stagnant innovation and any meaningful breakthroughs, is an association that seems to have been stuck with our industry for years.

“Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.” - Warren Buffett

In the Summer Edition of 2022, IGS Magazine aims to to break the glass industry free from this perceived bondage of stagnation. Readers will gain foresight into intelligent technology and cuttingedge glass products that are disrupting the status-quo (NOW) and expanding the possibilities of architecture and façade design.

From developments in curved glass, bird-safe and fire-resistant glazing to smart glass and digitalisation you will be privy to the innovative spirit of modernist glass industry vanguards. Through project case studies and expert thought leadership, we explore the diversity of design applications, alongside industry developed facade systems and structural glass solutions that set new parameters of possibility for this magical material.