Glass is mainly associated with aesthetics, but it’s more than that, especially when there is so much innovation in the glass industry. And when we talk about solar energy environmental awareness and concern, the use of efficient housing and architectural material is the call of time.
In many of the different types of glass, the solar glass to solar control glass has its vital place. It’s actually a highly efficient and high-performing type of glass exclusively managing solar energy.
It can reflect or absorb the major portion of the solar energy prior to when it enters the building. Therefore, the indoor temperature ranges remain comfortable enough to sit and relax. Solar energy glass reduces the temperature and hence there is less need of air conditioning than in the absence of a solar glass.
If you are thinking how solar control glass is enhancing comfort and energy, you have landed on the right page! In this blog, we will talk more about the benefits, advantages, uses and other topics that you should know about solar control glass.
What is Solar Energy Glass?
Solar energy glass also known as solar glass is a type of glass that has been treated with the special metallic coating that reflexes or cuts back the infrared radiation, however, lets the UV light pass the glass.
Therefore, this glass is efficient to allow major light balanced out with reduced heat that you otherwise get exposed to. Solar control glass does not prevent the incoming of natural light as frosted glass does.
In short, solar glass is a double and or triple-glazed glass featuring the metal oxide coating on the inner layers.
Therefore it let the temperature bearable and never let the heat inside. However, you can get the natural light in. It can keep up with the flow of light and lets you sit in comfortable indoor temperature ranges.
How Solar Energy Glass Is Made? – Manufacturing Process
Solar energy glass is made by choosing the raw material such as silica sand, soda ash, and limestone. After melting these materials in the furnace, the flat sheets are formed and these glass sheets using the float or rolling process.
The process follows when these materials are melted in a glass kiln and pressed and formed by a calendering machine annealed and cooled, and finally cut to obtain ultra-white patterned glass.
In what color solar glass comes
The color range in solar control glass comes soothing and just perfect for buildings, car windows and other commercial use. You mostly get the blue to gray color range in the solar glass.
Advantages of Solar Energy Glass
With the advancement of solar and energy efficient solutions, the glass industry has worked on with the technology to let out improved and premium energy solutions especially for buildings. With minimal energy you not only get ideal temperature ranges but also favorable bill situations.
If there are two main benefits of solar glass then it would be minimising solar heat flow and controlling visible light flow. The types of solar glass offer an ideal outlook such as tinted, reflective and neutral.
It cuts the block up to 94% UV light, neutral solar glass maximises the natural light and blocks the UV rays up to 87% whereas the reflective solar glasses allow the optimum daylight and reflect away about 70% of heat. Other benefits are;
- Solar glass offers better noise reduction and works best for acoustic performance
- Its durable and strong enough for security
- It can wisely minimize the use of air condition
- No need for tinted glass
- Minimal operating cost
- Minimize bills
- Renewable energy sources
Disadvantages of Solar Control glass
- Cut back the light transmission
- Installation is tricky
- Limited aesthetics
- Solar energy storage is expensive
- Its associated with pollution
- It’s not compact, dominate the space
- It weather dependent
Properties of solar control glass
The major property of a solar control glass is to let the natural light in and reflect the high proportion of sun heat. Therefore, it naturally keeps the interior temperature bright, however, low in temperature.
Where is solar control glass used- Its applications
Offices and buildings with larger glazed size with ample glass roof and glazing wind are best with solar glass.
Mainly solar glass is used in windows, facades and curtain walls to roofs and skylights. The reason is evident, because it reduces heat, allows natural light while blocking UV effects and is durable.
Solar energy glass is ideal for modish and contemporary architecture as this glass is suitable for glass and windows. You can also use it for patio doors if you want protection from UV.
Since this glass is exceptional in reducing solar heat gain and glare by reflecting, absorbing, and dissipating solar radiation, this is mainly in use for applications such as residential and commercial building.
The use of solar glass for commercial makes it efficient for minimising bills. It’s also in use for car windows, skylights Installation, sunrooms, and conservatories.
Should we use sunlight management glass?
Sunlight management glass is highly recommended to those who are looking for a way to keep their furniture and curtain safe from getting faded. Since this glass keeps off UV light you never get the curtain, fabric or furniture to get faded or washed out in coloration.
Moreover, solar glass increases the aesthetic and leaves privacy intact. This glass is available in different enchanting designs, colors, and tint which keeps the visibility limited when you don’t want it from outside.
How is solar control glass different from low-e glass?
People often get confused between solar control glass and low-e glass. Certainly both glasses apparently give the same notion of being energy efficient and best to work in heat. However, there is a slight difference. Apart from properties the difference is in coating application.
In low-e glass the coating is applied when the glass is in molten (liquified) state.
On the other hand, the low-e glass is achieved when the coating is applied once the manufacturing process is done and dusted. Thesis is called offline coating. In solar control glass the coating is applied at room temperature with vacuum chambers.