The document proposes converting windows into solar power generation sources using solar shades. It notes that windows are ubiquitous but traditionally only considered for reducing solar effects indoors rather than energy production. Solar shades can transform buildings and homes into clean energy producers without expensive exterior modifications. The shades are easy to install and provide benefits like improved building security, familiarity with solar power, and reduced grid demand during daylight hours.
7. Importance
1. It
is
criBcal
to
increase
local-‐site,
clean
power
producBon
2. Windows
are
everywhere,
but
the
focus
has
been
on
reducing
solar
affects
on
interiors,
rather
than
on
uBlizing
their
solar
power
generaBng
potenBal
3. Solar
power
shades
are
a
powerful,
new
and
easy
way
to
convert
office
and
apartment
buildings
and
homes
into
producers
of
energy
…
without
any
changes
to
or
installaBons
on
the
exterior
of
the
buildings
4. Easy
to
install
• Office
buildings
are
difficult
to
retro-‐fit
with
exterior
solar
panels,
but
adding
solar
shades
to
the
interior
of
windows
is
straighSorward
• Homes
may
or
may
not
be
easy
to
add
exterior
solar
panels,
but,
again,
most
windows
have
some
form
of
window
treatment
and
adding
solar
panel
shades
to
the
interior
of
windows
is
straighSorward
6-‐14
7
8. Example
ExisBng
Solar
“Shade”
Systems
1.
US
Army
Solar
Tent
with
Power
Storage
h[p://www.usaraf.army.mil/NEWS/NEWS_110817_SOLAR_SHADE.html
2.
PaBo
Solar
Umbrella
h[p://gizmodo.com/5911427/stylish-‐sun-‐shade-‐is-‐the-‐easiest-‐way-‐to-‐harness-‐solar-‐
power-‐for-‐your-‐home
6-‐14
8
9. Many
Addi?onal
Benefits
ü Building
security
• if
external
power
grid
is
hampered,
electricity
from
the
building’s
window
solar
panels
run
independently
ü Familiarity
•
as
more
people
become
aware
of
the
ease
of
use
and
implementaBon
of
solar,
the
use
becomes
more
widespread
ü Grid
stability
• Reduces
demand
during
daylight
hours
of
grid-‐based
electricity
ü Tax
benefits
• Increases
a
building
or
home’s
green
energy
profile
ü Easy
to
implement
incrementally
6-‐14
9
10.
Do
something
real
about
climate
change!
Start
the
meme!
Whenever
you
see
a
window:
(1)
take
a
photo
(2)
tweet
with
#windowsareforgeneraBngpower
6-‐14
10
11. ConverBng
windows
to
solar
power
generaBng
plants
via
solar
shades
Submi[ed
by
Tim
Higginson
InnovaBon
Expert,
Inventor,
Company
Founder
www.linkedin.com/in/Bmhigginson
Tim
has
an
extensive
track
record
in
developing
and
commercializing
innovaBons
in
a
wide
range
of
industries,
building
start-‐up
companies,
building
and
managing
engineering
teams,
execuBng
on
innovaBve
business
models,
and
developing
global
patent
porSolios.
Tim
is
focused
on
building
www.webhub.mobi
“A
Social
Atlas
of
the
Web”
where
anyone,
anywhere
can
create
“maps”
of
the
Web
on
any
topic
they
like.
6-‐14
11