Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), ranked among the world’s top petrochemical companies, leads the curve with first polycarbonate BIPV panels featuring design flexibility, thermal insulation & energy production in one solution.

With approximately 70 gigawatts (GW) of cumulative global installations, photovoltaic (PV) systems represent the third most important renewable energy source – after hydroelectric and wind power – in terms of capacity.

As demand for solar power rises, Sabic is helping to drive the feasibility and integration of this increasingly preferred energy source having launched the first polycarbonate building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) panels for roofing, cladding and glazing applications.

This novel solution from Sabic’s Innovative Plastics business, called Lexan BIPV panel, provides architects and builders with enhanced design freedom, thermal insulation, easy installation and energy production in a single, integrated solution.

Created through a close collaboration between Sabic and Solbian Energie Alternative, an innovative flexible photovoltaic (PV) production company, Lexan BIPV panels combine tough, lightweight, transparent Lexan Thermoclear PC sheet with flexible PV laminated crystalline cells from Solbian and are available in a broad range of structures, configurations and colors.

“The new Lexan BIPV panels show SABIC’s commitment to challenging the status quo to find better solutions and create practical innovations for customers in the building and construction industry,” remarked

Commenting on the new product, Jack Govers, the general manager (Specialty Film & Sheet) said: "Our collaboration with Solbian has created a technology that can transform conventional roofing and glazing systems and provide new choices for the integration of solar systems into building designs across the globe."

"We take pride delivering the performance architects and builders expect when achieving their sustainability goals and powering their competitive advantage," he noted.

Enrique Garcia, the president of Solbian Energie Alternative, said the company's successful collaboration with Sabic has resulted in a very new, high-performance solution that will no doubt drive broader adoption of photovoltaics across many types of commercial and residential structures and geographies.

“Sabic’s drive to constantly enhance its materials opens up new opportunities for its customers and we are happy that Solbian can contribute to this success,” he added.

Accoring to him, one of the top benefits of Lexan BIPV panels is design freedom.

"Compared to traditional BIPV materials, the Sabic panels can be easily cold bended on site to form graceful, curved roofing systems. By using semi-transparent Lexan BIPV panel modules designers can create unique day-lighting features in façade, roofing or skylight systems," explained Garcia.

"In addition, the new panels provide high performance, beginning with excellent thermal insulation and light management that are hallmarks of Lexan Thermoclear sheet. The new panels can reduce energy consumption by up to 17 percent vs. traditional high-return, double-pane glass glazing," he added.-TradeArabia News Service