AMSTERDAM — A research project that aims to harness the wasted solar energy absorbed by buildings has been launched by a consortium of 13 partners, including AkzoNobel. The ENVISION initiative is going beyond the solar panels found on roofs in an attempt to harvest energy from all building surfaces (both transparent and opaque), without having to compromise on aesthetics.
A solution for absorbing near-infrared light (NIR) via special panels already exists, but these panels are only available in one color – black. AkzoNobel’s coatings experts got to work and are developing technology that can capture heat using lighter and brighter colors. Dutch company BAM and research organization TNO are also partners in the project.