Photovoltaic concrete support

What is photovoltaic concrete?

Photovoltaic concrete is a new kind of concrete that generates its own electricity by converting light to energy. This can be done using a process called semiconducting, which is similar to how solar panels work. The concrete panels are built with ultra thin solar panels that are conveniently delivered as it to the construction site.

Could concrete facades capture solar energy to power buildings?

Concrete facades could soon capture solar energy to power buildings, using a prototype photovoltaic cladding developed by materials company LafargeHolcim and electronics manufacturer Heliatek. The product combines LafargeHolcim 's concrete with a top layer of Heliatek 's HeliaFilm — a flexible solar film that is just one millimetre thick.

Who makes photovoltaic concrete panels?

In November 2017, Swiss firm LafargeHolcim—the world’s largest cement maker—and Heliatek, a German solar-panels company, debuted photovoltaic concrete panels at French construction fair Batimat, according to Architizer. These panels are concrete with built-in ultra-think solar panels that can be delivered as is on site.

Is photovoltaic concrete ready for commercial building work?

The company has now promised a large-scale rollout of the tiles in 2019. Getting photovoltaic concrete ready for actual commercial building work will probably be no easier. The era of photovoltaic concrete may be getting closer.

What are concrete solar panels & how do they work?

The concrete panels are built with ultra thin solar panels that are conveniently delivered as it to the construction site. The company responsible for this new innovative idea claims that a typical 10-story building covered in 60% of these panels could generate around 30% of the annual energy requirement.

Is the era of photovoltaic concrete getting closer?

The era of photovoltaic concrete may be getting closer. Photovoltaics, which work by converting light to energy via semiconducting, are starting to migrate from solar panels into the building materials themselves.