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COMMENT
The need to embrace solar control glass for net zero
Leo Pyrah of Pilkington UK outlines the role of solar control glass in the battle to get to net zero carbon by 2050, and explains what could be holding the solution back from being specified more widely by architects
more energy efficient. When glazing’s role is considered here, the industry has historically focused on trapping heat in with low-emissivity glass, led by Building Regulations, resulting in reduced demand for heating spaces in colder months. Indeed, improving the thermal efficiency of the glazing used in our built environment will be important to meeting the net-zero target.
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But preventing solar energy from being transmitted into buildings through windows and facades will be equally pertinent for lowering emissions. Solutions like solar control glass will help alleviate this issue, resulting in less energy used by mechanical cooling systems. The issue of overheating, and its impact on energy efficiency, is forming part of Government consultations surrounding Building Regulations. This could introduce great change in the way we design buildings in as little as 12 months’ time. With regulations driving change, it could lead to greater proliferation of solar control glass – catalysed by manufacturer innovation in the category. This is coupled with an increasing ability to combine glass coatings, so not only can one glazing solution deliver solar control performance, but it can be toughened, self-cleaning and thermally efficient too – delivering on multiple objectives for technical architects.
New specifications for solar control glass Solar control glass is currently being specified in all manners of climates, and for all sorts of projects. For example, Pilkington recently installed 50,000 square metres of solar control glass at the Palm Tower, a new landmark building in Dubai’s iconic Palm Jumeirah district. The advancement of solar control coatings has allowed the tower to be clad entirely in glass while resisting the desert heat, keeping a naturally cool temperature inside for occupants.
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK ADF FEBRUARY 2020
he race to hit net zero carbon by 2050 has renewed discussion in Government and across the building design industry about how we make our new and existing buildings
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