Improves light quality

Somfy Systems manufactures a number of different systems to motorize window coverings and help regulate solar exposure. Their products can be applied to retractable awnings, rolling shutters, exterior screens, and interior shades. The systems are programmable and remote controllable, and can also be controlled via an Internet-based interface. Research suggests that motorized and automated window coverings significantly improve the energy performance of adjustable window coverings, in both homes and commercial buildings.

Soraa Vivid MR-16 LED luminaires are ideal for use where light quality is critical, such as art galleries or retail displays. Unlike other LEDs that use gallium nitride (GaN) crystals grown on a sapphire or silicon carbide base, Soraa uses GaN grown on a GaN base so the crystals have far fewer imperfections. Though less efficacious than some LEDs, Soraa MR-16s produce higher intensity, “full spectrum” light that rivals halogen bulbs, while operating at lower temperatures. They are available in 14-, 25-, and 36-degree beam angles.

Okalux light-diffusing glass uses hollow capillary fibers hermetically sealed between sheets of laminated float glass. Distributed in the U.S. by Schott North America, this unique translucent glass prevents glare and shadows yet allows light to shine through while still providing U-factors as low as 0.9 for the company’s Okalux-P glazing (expect higher U-factors for the whole glazing unit). Okalux can be customized to maximize solar heat gain, sound attenuation, and UV protection for use in façades, glass roofs, partitions, and other applications.

Raico Passive House Curtainwall systems, distributed in the United States by Peak Building Products, can be timber-, steel-, or aluminum-framed. Certified by the German Passivhaus Institut, these curtainwall systems can achieve overall U-factors as low as 0.125 (R-8), including thermal bridging across framing members. System widths range from 2"–3.8" (50–96 mm). Double- or triple-glazing, with widths ranging from 1.25"–2" (32–52 mm), are available. Glazing panes can be made as large as 5' x 10' (1500 x 3000 mm).

Schneider Electric provides residential and commercial lighting control systems, including occupancy sensors, dimmers, controls, touch screens, relay panels, and more. Its Powerlink system is used for industrial, commercial, or large-scale residential use. The Measurement and Verification Panelboards (MVP) monitor energy consumption and demand from circuits through the complete lighting system, review data, measure occupancy and use patterns, generate reports, and trigger alarm notifications. The company also offers complete C-Bus residential systems that incorporate light and occupancy sensors, daylighting controls, and dimming along with touchscreens and keypads. This system can also integrate HVAC, media, irrigation, and security systems.

Hunt Dimming offers full dimming systems, LED controllers, and wallbox dimmers for commercial applications. The company’s Simplicity series is a modular digital dimming system that includes a factory-programmed dimming panel and customizable LCD touchscreen controls, providing control for LED drivers and lamps and as well as daylighting. Hunt also offers basic analog dimmers and a large selection of wallbox dimmers.

Philips offers integrated building automation and lighting control, wireless controls, sensors, dimmers, and components for office, hospitality, restaurant, healthcare and other commercial and residential applications. Products include the Dynalite office lighting and controls; OccuSwitch Wireless devices that integrate with standard wiring; Lyteswitch low-voltage controls; Intellisite occupancy sensors; MultiSet Pro networking system; and more.

PLC Multipoint has been producing sensors and lighting control systems for over 20 years, with four divisions emphasizing indoor and outdoor commercial, sensors, roadway and transportation, and industrial applications. The company’s PLCBuildings division focuses on controls for daylighting and occupancy sensing in offices, schools, garages, and other commercial building applications. Along with products the company also provides engineering, site evaluation, and training.

Eaton offers a wide range of lighting control products including the Pow-R-Command systems. These units are available in different configurations depending on size and application, from a Pow-R-Command 25 that is wired at the factory and doesn’t require field programming, to the Pow-R-Command 2000 that can be accessed via the Internet to program and control lighting in large facilities such as convention centers, schools, and office buildings. The company also offers Pow-R-Command Smart SunLight, an active daylighting system for commercial and educational applications using skylights that incorporate GPS-controlled directional mirrors to track the sun and provide maximum daylighting.

Glidden's Ultra-Hide, LifeMaster, and Diamond 450 “No-VOC” interior latex paints are intended for professional use. UltraHide provides a uniform finish at a lower price point; LifeMaster acrylic is for use in commercial, institutional, and educational buildings; and Diamond 450 is formulated with greater durability for high-traffic applications. Glidden offers its LumiTec colorants that the company claims are bright enough to allow for 20% less artificial lighting. These paints all meet MPI’s X-Green performance standards.

Major Industries offers skylights with fiberglass glazing instead of glass. Guardian 275 skylights are fiberglass sheet panels framed in aluminum, and Clima-Tite skylights have pultruded fiberglass frames. According to the company, the Guardian skylights achieve U-factors as low as 0.13 and SHGC as low as 0.05, though NFRC tested combinations only achieve SHGC as low as 0.06 and range in U-factor from 0.22–0.40, thanks in part to an optional thermal break. According to the company, the Clima-Tite skylights achieve U-factors ranging from 0.14–0.50 and SHGC ranging from 0.06–0.49. Six fiberglass sheet colors are available, including white, blue, and red.

SunGuard EC Dynamic Glazing, marketed by Guardian and developed by View, Inc. (formerly Soladigm Technology), is an electronically tintable coating that blocks solar heat gain while providing glare control and preserving views. SunGuard EC is applied to the #2 surface of the IGU (the inner surface of the outer pane of glass), and optional argon-filled IGUs and low-e coatings are available. Depending on the tint level and the configuration of SunGuard EC, VT ranges from 2%–62%, U-factor ranges from 0.24–0.29, and SHGC ranges from 0.07–0.47. Average power consumption of the electronic tinting is 0.03 W/ft2, with peak power consumption of 0.1 W/ft2, and zero power drawn while the system is off.




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SunGuard PVGU, marketed by Guardian and developed by Pythagoras, is building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glazing with bars of photovoltaic cells held in the insulating glass unit (IGU) instead of integrated directly into the glazing, as is common in most BIPV glazing. The advantage to this unique design is the high visual transmittance of 49%. Though the view is distorted when looking through from the inside, the view from the exterior is primarily of the photovoltaic cells. PVGU is double glazed, with 6mm thick panes and a 10mm argon-filled IGU. The glazing achieves a U-factor of 0.28 and an SHGC of 0.14. The photovoltaics have an overall efficiency of 12% and produce 11.15 W/ft2, which, according to the company, is three times the power density of other BIPV glazing.




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ProSol TF+, manufactured by Schüco, is a range of customizable photovoltaic glazing products, including colored modules and laminated safety glass, as well as double-glazed insulating units. Depending on the configuration, U-factors ranging from 0.16–1.0 can be achieved by the glazing. According to the company, several types of photovoltaic technology can be integrated into glazing, including a-SI, mono-crystalline, and poly-crystalline. Depending on the technology chosen, cell efficiency ranges from 6%–21% and the systems have a maximum voltage of 600 V. Sizes range from 8" x 12" to 87" x 102", and several different cell colors and glazing options can be chosen. Schüco offers a five-year product guarantee, as well as 10- and 25-year power production guarantees of 90% and 80%, respectively.

Scheuten offers Optisol customizable building integrated photovoltaic glazing. Optisol glazing units can be up to 2 x 3.5 meters in size. PVB and EVA foils are available, as well as triple-glazed units. Varying degrees of transparency and up to eight colors and patterns are available. Poly- or mono-crystalline cells can be custom-spaced to cover 50%–90% of the glazing. Scheuten offers a five-year warranty on Optisol, as well as a 10-year 90% power guarantee and a 25-year 80% power guarantee.