According to a
recent Web article, Corning Incorporated has created solar photovoltaic glass
that it says is lighter, more efficient, and stronger than thin-film solar
modules. The company is reporting that it just received its first commercial
order for the product.
The order is the
culmination of three years of development and test marketing.
Corning also says the photovoltaic glass can increase current thin-film module
efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Additionally, it is promoted as being 50
times stronger with less than half the thickness of the glass commonly used
today in thin-film PV modules.
NFRC welcomes your thoughts on this topic.
Read the article here
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
NFRC to Exhibit During NASEO Conference Next Week
Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be exhibiting during the National Association of State Energy Officials' (NASEO) upcoming Energy Policy and Technology Outlook Conference at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The event will take place Wednesday, February 8 – Friday, February 10.
The theme of this year’s event is “Modernizing U.S. Buildings and Energy Infrastructure: Promoting Economic Development and Technology Innovation.
NASEO chose this theme because it believes the need for a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy system presents a significant opportunity to improve the U.S. economy, job creation, and global competitiveness. There are, however, challenges to overcome, which necessitate a shift in the business as usual model to a more dynamic and robust coordination and investment strategy.
According to the NASEO Website, the organization is the only national non-profit organization whose membership includes the governor-designated energy officials from each state and territory. The organization was created to improve the effectiveness and quality of state energy programs and policies, provide policy input and analysis, share successes among the states, and to be a repository of information on issues of particular concern to the states and their citizens.
Exhibit Hall Hours (Ballroom Foyer)
Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday, February 9, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday, February 10, 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
If you are attending the conference, be sure to visit NFRC’s booth to get answers to all your questions about the integral role window ratings play in creating a greener, more sustainable future.
Contact NFRC's Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing, Tom Herron, at 240-821-9505 for details.
The event will take place Wednesday, February 8 – Friday, February 10.
The theme of this year’s event is “Modernizing U.S. Buildings and Energy Infrastructure: Promoting Economic Development and Technology Innovation.
NASEO chose this theme because it believes the need for a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy system presents a significant opportunity to improve the U.S. economy, job creation, and global competitiveness. There are, however, challenges to overcome, which necessitate a shift in the business as usual model to a more dynamic and robust coordination and investment strategy.
According to the NASEO Website, the organization is the only national non-profit organization whose membership includes the governor-designated energy officials from each state and territory. The organization was created to improve the effectiveness and quality of state energy programs and policies, provide policy input and analysis, share successes among the states, and to be a repository of information on issues of particular concern to the states and their citizens.
Exhibit Hall Hours (Ballroom Foyer)
Wednesday, February 8, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday, February 9, 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Friday, February 10, 7:00 am - 12:00 pm
If you are attending the conference, be sure to visit NFRC’s booth to get answers to all your questions about the integral role window ratings play in creating a greener, more sustainable future.
Contact NFRC's Senior Manager, Communications & Marketing, Tom Herron, at 240-821-9505 for details.
Friday, January 27, 2012
QCT Earns NFRC Accreditation as Test Lab
Quast Consulting and Testing, Inc (QCT) from Mosinee, Wisconsin
was recently accredited by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) as a
testing laboratory.
The company can perform NFRC 102 testing for U-factor validation and NFRC 400 for air leakage testing.
The company can perform NFRC 102 testing for U-factor validation and NFRC 400 for air leakage testing.
According to the QCT Website, the
company
specializes in the design and testing of exterior building components. We work
with building owners, architects, contractors and manufacturers to provide
timely and accurate solutions to our clients' testing and consulting needs.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
NFRC Appearing in Miami Next Week
Representatives from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) will be on hand during next week's MiaGreen Expo and Conference to educate attendees on the importance that fenestration rating programs play in green and sustainable building.
Billed as the "Green Convention of the Americas," the conference is entering its fourth year
Billed as the "Green Convention of the Americas," the conference is entering its fourth year
During an educational session slated for Friday, January 27 at 2:00 p.m., NFRC will speak about the window retrofits market, highlighting some of the many business opportunities it provides.
The show will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Hall B, on January 26 and 27. The exhibit hall is open from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. both days.
If you are attending the show, be sure to stop by NFRC's booth to learn more about how the organization's ratings programs complement the LEED rating program.
Details
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Industry News: Material Offers New Hope for Developing Smart Windows
According to a new report, Smart Windows are expected to play a big role
in energy-efficient homes.
The idea is that they will allow light in while keeping the heat out. One material being considered for its potential to help create Smart Windows is known as Vanadium dioxide (VO2). This unique material has the ability to transition from a transparent semi-conductive state at low temperatures, allowing infrared radiation through, to an opaque metallic state at high temperatures, while still allowing visible light to get through.
The report says that to date, VO2 hasn't been considered to be particularly suited for large-scale practical smart-window applications due to its low luminous transmittance and solar modulating ability. Strategies to improve these properties, for instance through doping or composites, have resulted in trade-offs between the luminous transmittance and thermo-chromic properties.
The report goes on to say that researchers in China, however, have now developed a process that can prepare VO2 thin-films with a controllable polymorph and morphology (including grain size and porosity). Their results show that with increased porosity and decreased optical constants the performance of the VO2 films is enhanced, leading to a higher transmittance of visible light and improved solar modulating ability.
It is expected that VO2 thermo-chromic films will find special applications as a new generation of smart glass that can change infrared transmittance by responding to environmental temperature, while at the same time maintaining visible transparency.
This could result in a smart window that might be useful for locations with hot summers and cold winters.
Details
The idea is that they will allow light in while keeping the heat out. One material being considered for its potential to help create Smart Windows is known as Vanadium dioxide (VO2). This unique material has the ability to transition from a transparent semi-conductive state at low temperatures, allowing infrared radiation through, to an opaque metallic state at high temperatures, while still allowing visible light to get through.
The report says that to date, VO2 hasn't been considered to be particularly suited for large-scale practical smart-window applications due to its low luminous transmittance and solar modulating ability. Strategies to improve these properties, for instance through doping or composites, have resulted in trade-offs between the luminous transmittance and thermo-chromic properties.
The report goes on to say that researchers in China, however, have now developed a process that can prepare VO2 thin-films with a controllable polymorph and morphology (including grain size and porosity). Their results show that with increased porosity and decreased optical constants the performance of the VO2 films is enhanced, leading to a higher transmittance of visible light and improved solar modulating ability.
It is expected that VO2 thermo-chromic films will find special applications as a new generation of smart glass that can change infrared transmittance by responding to environmental temperature, while at the same time maintaining visible transparency.
This could result in a smart window that might be useful for locations with hot summers and cold winters.
Details
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
City of Midland to Require Energy Efficient Windows for Renovations
Starting in January 2012, residents of Midland, Texas will need to adhere to additional requirements when renovating their homes.
The City Council has passed an update to the energy code that requires new home additions or alterations to meet added energy requirements for insulation, windows and exterior doors.
Last year, Texas adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). All new commercial construction had to be in compliance with the code as of April 1. Residential construction will have to be in compliance after Jan. 1, according to the state law.
Currently, residential additions and alterations are exempt from meeting the new energy standards. The changes mean homeowners will be required to use energy-efficient windows, and exterior doors will have to meet energy-efficient standards.
People replacing single windows will not be required to meet the new code.
Details
The City Council has passed an update to the energy code that requires new home additions or alterations to meet added energy requirements for insulation, windows and exterior doors.
Last year, Texas adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). All new commercial construction had to be in compliance with the code as of April 1. Residential construction will have to be in compliance after Jan. 1, according to the state law.
Currently, residential additions and alterations are exempt from meeting the new energy standards. The changes mean homeowners will be required to use energy-efficient windows, and exterior doors will have to meet energy-efficient standards.
People replacing single windows will not be required to meet the new code.
Details
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Industry News: Green Retrofits Surpass New Green Construction
A report published this week, says the green retrofitting of commercial buildings is outpacing the construction of new green buildings.
According to McGraw Hill Construction’s Green Outlook 2011, this trend could mean that more building owners believe that achieving LEED certification may be cost efficient and environmentally conscious. The trend may have also been prompted by fewer new green building projects being scheduled for construction.
The report also says that by 2015 the green share of the largest commercial retrofit and renovation activity will more than triple, representing a $14 billion to $18 billion opportunity in major construction projects alone.
What might this mean for the fenestration industry?
Details
According to McGraw Hill Construction’s Green Outlook 2011, this trend could mean that more building owners believe that achieving LEED certification may be cost efficient and environmentally conscious. The trend may have also been prompted by fewer new green building projects being scheduled for construction.
The report also says that by 2015 the green share of the largest commercial retrofit and renovation activity will more than triple, representing a $14 billion to $18 billion opportunity in major construction projects alone.
What might this mean for the fenestration industry?
Details
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