The idea of integrating solar cells in glass facades

PhotoSolar's history starts in 2003, when the company was founded as a spin-off from the Danish Technological Institute following an idea to integrate solar cells in glass facades. The solar cells are designed to promote energy-neutral air conditioning, whereby the power generated by the solar cells is used to remove surplus heat caused by high levels of solar irradiation, a well-known problem in modern glass buildings.

In 2004, the idea was further developed to also include a groundbreaking passive solar shading system built into insulating glazing. The design is intelligent, meaning that the solar shading adapts to the height of the sun in the sky. Since then, the idea has been further developed and fine-tuned in close cooperation with a number of knowledge centres and architects.

In 2009, Vækstfonden and the Danish Technological Institute made a substantial investment in PhotoSolar to promote sales and the production of the MicroShade™ solar shading as well as further develop MicroShade™ Power, which comprises transparent, solar-shading solar cells built into glass facades.

In 2009, MicroShade™ was introduced to the market and installed in a number of reference installations in offices and institutions.