Israeli Green-Tech Creates New Solar Power Window

The Israeli company Pythagoras Solar makes solar-power windows that harness the sun to reduce cut energy costs (NTD Television).

Jerusalem- “Harnessing the sun” is what Gonen Fink, CEO of Pythagoras Solar, calls his company’s revolutionary clean-energy breakthrough: solar power windows. Pythagoras Solar “reinvents Building Integrated Photovoltaics for clean, energy efficient, self-powered buildings,” according to the firm’s website.

The company is part of a new high-tech trend in Israel focusing on alternative energy. In recent years, Israel has become somewhat of a pioneer in the production of electric cars, solar power, wind power, biofuels and more.

Israel has a strategic interest in helping to wean itself and other countries from foreign oil dependence.

Israeli President Shimon Peres recently noted, “oil supports terror and violence from Venezuela to Iran … Israel cannot become a major industrial country, but it can become a daring world laboratory and a pilot plant for new ideas, like the electric car.”

Together with Cyprus, Israel has also become a leader in home solar water systems.

Approximately 90 percent of Israeli homes are equiped with solar water systems, which meet about four percent of the country’s total energy demand, saving the equivalent of nearly two billion barrels of oil a year.

One of the pioneering companies in this field, Chromagen (founded in 1962), is now exporting its hot water systems to more than 35 countries around the world.

Internationally, Israel is engaged in joint research efforts under a number of bilateral agreements, including the BIRD Energy program for U.S.-Israel renewable-energy development. Israel is also a charter member of the International Renewable Energy Agency, which was established in 2009 to help promote the adoption of renewable energy worldwide.

In an additional benefit, solar windows also reduce the heating, cooling and lighting costs of buildings.

Pythagoras’ windows technology “combines electricity production, energy reduction and transparent design,” explained NTD Television.

The double-pane window embedded with solar cells can generate electricity for buildings. It is built from plastic pieces that are attached with transparent solar cells – hence reducing the need for electricity, heating and light.

The windows reduce the need for air conditioning and excess energy production by acting as a shade to the building or, alternatively, reduce the need for artificial light by preserving natural light

Short URL: http://www.solarthermalmagazine.com/?p=11048

Posted by Tracey A. Smith on Jul 14 2011. Filed under Inventions and Patents, Israel, Residential Solar. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry