By Nick Gilbert
Konarka Technologies has announced the integration of its power plastic solar panels into the metal rainscreen panels from Dri-Design for use in building façade applications. The integrated solar panels provide higher building performance, renewable energy and tax credits, and recurring return for building proprietors as well as pleasant designs for architects.
Dri-Design’s President, Brad Zeeff stated that the integration of its reliable metal rainscreen panel with Konarka’s building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology is a significant innovation in the market. This panel integration is an instance to prove the commitment of Dri-Design in developing new and affordable products, according to Brad.
The power plastic solar films from Konarka are lightweight, thin, flexible and transparent. These films can be perfectly integrated into different building materials, which include composites, fabrics, glass, plastics and steel. They provide transparency and many color options in various sizes to the product designers and creative architects. Roll-to-roll continuous manufacturing method from Konarka has been used to enable the various sizes of the panes. Dri-Design’s patented wall panel system is a pressure-equalized, dry joint rainscreen system that is utilized to clad a wide range of commercial buildings, all over the country.
Ken McCauley, Konarka’s Senior Vice President for sales, marketing and business development stated that the building proprietors can attain net-zero energy performance in their buildings, through this integrated solar panel system, with no compromise in the excellent visual design. The company’s power plastic can be integrated into a variety of materials and designs without any faults for use in various applications, according to Ken.
Source: http://www.konarka.com/