RE: [GBlist] BIPV skylight

[Charles Brown <charles@brownandjones.com>]

It has been six years so there may be more product out there. The problem 
we ran into was that code required a laminated glass in skylights, but very 
few PV glass was tested by ASTM. Even though some products are in fact 
laminated, they may not have spent the money to get tested. It seems like a 
company named Pilkington would take PV and laminate them to tested glazing, 
but this was expensive. The basic issue was finding a PV panel with the 
same depth as the rest of the glazing in the skylight (if there is any).

I think ASE America will also take crystalline cells and mount them in a 
pattern to match your glazing opening. Of course this is more expensive 
than off the shelf sizes, so you may want to build your skylight to match 
your PV modules. Like I said, this is six year old experience. Hopefully 
others can offer more current advice.

We ended up making a custom designed system over conventional framing. The 
aluminum extrusions were provided by "Abundant Energy" somewhere in New 
England. You can always find their ad in Solar Today. Their extrusions are 
smaller and therefore not structural, but this was still much cheaper than 
a made to order aluminum skylight frame.

Brown & Jones Architects, Inc.
14 N. Boylan Avenue - Raleigh, NC 27603
919.831.2625 - fax 919.831.2626

-----Original Message-----

We are planning to install twelve approximately 6'X12' curb mounted pyramid 
type skylights on a flat roof in western Mass. We are also planning a PV
collector. Does anyone have experience combining PV glass in a skylight? 
Can
you direct us to other sources? Thanks W.L.


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