New architectural solar control products from Tesla, Lutron, Draper, Vitro Architectural Glass, Brooklyn SolarWorks, and Situ Studio.
July 2017 Product Briefs: Solar Control
These products capture the power of the sun or control heat gain and glare for comfort and energy savings.
Solar Roof
Made with tempered glass, Tesla’s Solar Roof tiles are more than three times stronger than standard roofing tile versions, yet half the weight. In conjunction with the company’s Powerwall system, energy from the tiles can be stored and used any time of day or night. Installations will begin this summer in the U.S., and outside the country in 2018.
Solar Roof
Made with tempered glass, Tesla’s Solar Roof tiles are more than three times stronger than standard roofing tile versions, yet half the weight. In conjunction with the company’s Powerwall system, energy from the tiles can be stored and used any time of day or night. Installations will begin this summer in the U.S., and outside the country in 2018.
Contract Roller Shades
Lutron’s new Contract Roller Shade products include a high-quality, commercial-grade manual option that protects building occupants from the sun’s glare and heat. In addition, a new coordinating motorized roller shade helps to meet performance requirements. With the right textile, the new shade can effectively control daylight and preserve views for employees.
Topspin Shades
Draper’s Topspin is retractable fabric shading for interior or exterior use. The system can be manufactured in widths of almost 10´ 6˝ and can be installed on horizontal, vertical, or sloped glazing and to shade barrel-vaulted skylights. Topspin is available in a range of fabrics that provide effective light and glare control.
Solarban 90 Tint Options
Solarban 90 solar control low-E glass is now available for all performance-tinted glass products from VitroArchitectural Glass (formerly PPG). These include Atlantica, Azuria, Graylite II, Pacifica, Solarblue, Solarbronze, Solargray, and Solexia. (Solarban 90 was previously offered as an option for clear, Starphire Ultra-Clear, Optiblue, and Optigray products only.)
Solar Canopy
Created through a collaboration between Brooklyn SolarWorks and Situ Studio, the Solar Canopy is a modular rooftop structure with PV solar panels affixed to a lightweight, adjustable aluminum frame. Designed for the requirements of residential buildings in New York, the canopy can expand a rooftop solar system by up to 200%, dramatically reducing utility costs.
