S-FGR stands for Solar Full Glass Railing. This is the essence also clearly explained, it is about full glass balustrades that have photovoltaic cells laminated between the glass sheets. Instead of solar panels horizontally on a roof, we offer the possibility to provide solar poles between your glass balustrades.
S-FGR stands for Solar Full Glass Railing. This is the essence also clearly explained, it is about full glass balustrades that have photovoltaic cells laminated between the glass sheets. Instead of solar panels horizontally on a roof, we offer the possibility to provide solar poles between your glass balustrades.
Through an innovative collaboration between PIXASOLAR, specialized in applications with photovoltaic cells for facade cladding, and RAILINGCOMPANY, profile designer and specialized in glass balustrades, we have come to a collaboration that unites the best of 2 worlds.
The knowledge of photovoltaic cells that are seamlessly integrated in an aluminum profile that can withstand the high demands of wind loads, without any cable being visible.
We are proud to present you our S-FGR !
The knowledge of photovoltaic cells that are seamlessly integrated in an aluminum profile that can withstand the high demands of wind loads, without any cable being visible.
We are proud to present you our S-FGR !
|
|
Can any solar panel just be inserted into a profile to serve as a balustrade?
In Belgium, like most Northern European countries, we have standards that apply to balustrades. This standard is the standard NBN 03-004:2017 and therefore also applies here in our country.
What exactly does that standard say?
The standard NBN 03-004:2017 prescribes clear criteria that apply depending on the type of use, such as;
- residential application
- public places
- meeting places/offices
- businesses
What glass thickness should be used?
Here too, the standard NBN 03-004:2017 has clear criteria which must take into account wind loads and the resulting deflection, which, depending on the requirements of the above-mentioned categories, may not be more than 25 mm, measured at a height of 1000mm above the floor pass.
Based on the tests carried out at the BBRI, the Scientific and Technical Center for the Construction Industry, it is possible to determine which glass thicknesses are required.
Based on the tests carried out at the BBRI, the Scientific and Technical Center for the Construction Industry, it is possible to determine which glass thicknesses are required.
Have your S-FGR been approved by the BBRI?
Our S-FGR were indeed approved by the BBRI so that their use conforms to the standard for balustrades
NBN 03-004:2017
We can offer our S-FGR with different glass thicknesses depending on the applicable category and wind loads. |
|
Why is such an inspection by the BBRI important?
Unlike solar panels that are placed on a roof, we have a very important safety aspect that plays a role here because it concerns balustrades, an inspection by the BBRI confirms that the materials used are suitable for use as balustrades. This will be very important in the post intervention file.
My terrace is not going to be full of cables that I could trip over?
This is precisely the added value of the collaboration between PIXASOLAR and RAILINGCOMPANY. After a study of your project, we will each in our domain expertise vouch for;
Our glass clamp profiles offer the necessary space so that all the cables are nicely hidden in the profiles. You will only have advantages on your terrace.
- anchoring details of the glass clamps
- providing the supply to the inverter
- delivery and installation of the whole
Our glass clamp profiles offer the necessary space so that all the cables are nicely hidden in the profiles. You will only have advantages on your terrace.
The efficiency of such an S-FGR is considerably less than solar panels on the roof?
Every situation has its pros & cons. When there is a lot of dust on the roof solar panels in the summer or when the roof solar panels are covered with snow in the winter, this will have a very large influence on the efficiency. Vertically placed S-FGR can be cleaned very easily, so that the efficiency can be maintained at a high level throughout the year.
The difference in efficiency between a solar panel placed on a roof compared to an S-FGR is only 3% and thus negligible. What is especially important for the efficiency is the location of the S-FGR, it goes without saying that an S-FGR to the south achieves the highest efficiency. As with traditional solar panels, an orientation to the north is the least efficient.
OK but my current, high efficiency panels deliver 340Wp, what does an S-FGR yield?
The efficiency, if a comparison is desired, should be viewed per m2 and not per panel. It is possible that a panel can yield max 340Wp, with dimensions 1500mm X 1200mm, so this is 189Wp/m2.
Our S-FGR in FULL BLACK can deliver 200Wp/m2, but the location is also the most important here
Our S-FGR in FULL BLACK can deliver 200Wp/m2, but the location is also the most important here
Is it the intention to only install S-FGR instead of solar panels on the roof?
There are various possibilities.
For example, the S-FGR can be a nice addition to the roof solar panels, so that the required energy can be obtained more easily than with only roof solar panels.
A few years ago, the introduction of electric cars seemed quite distant and this was not taken into account, in many cases, when calculating the necessary kilowatt hours. In our current climate, the breakthrough of the electric car seems very close, which means that more kilowatt hours will be needed. The S-FGR will therefore certainly be a nice addition to the existing solar panels.
Our climate is getting warmer and the sales of swimming pools and air conditioners have only increased in recent years. These energy guzzlers were often not included when the roof solar panels were installed. Here too, the S-FGR can be a nice addition to the existing installation.
Another situation is the shift from single-family homes to multi-family homes, with more height being built. By increasing the number of multi-family homes and therefore also building more in height, there will not be enough m2 of roof surface to build energy-neutral with roof solar panels. Additional m2 will have to be found to generate energy. That additional m2 can be found, for example, on the facade and therefore also on the balustrades
For example, the S-FGR can be a nice addition to the roof solar panels, so that the required energy can be obtained more easily than with only roof solar panels.
A few years ago, the introduction of electric cars seemed quite distant and this was not taken into account, in many cases, when calculating the necessary kilowatt hours. In our current climate, the breakthrough of the electric car seems very close, which means that more kilowatt hours will be needed. The S-FGR will therefore certainly be a nice addition to the existing solar panels.
Our climate is getting warmer and the sales of swimming pools and air conditioners have only increased in recent years. These energy guzzlers were often not included when the roof solar panels were installed. Here too, the S-FGR can be a nice addition to the existing installation.
Another situation is the shift from single-family homes to multi-family homes, with more height being built. By increasing the number of multi-family homes and therefore also building more in height, there will not be enough m2 of roof surface to build energy-neutral with roof solar panels. Additional m2 will have to be found to generate energy. That additional m2 can be found, for example, on the facade and therefore also on the balustrades
How quickly can I earn back my investment?
The payback period of the investment varies from project to project.
As indicated above, the yield and thus the efficiency of the installation depend on the type and orientation. The Full Black panels have the highest efficiency per m2. The power is much lower with the colored or semi-transparent panels.
We can say that the payback period today is 3-8 years with good orientation. This is in line with traditional solar panels. The investment in the S-FGR should not be seen as a cost, but a good investment. With a return guarantee of 30 years, you also have the certainty that the panels will continue to generate more than 80% energy after they have earned back for at least another 22 to 27 years.
As indicated above, the yield and thus the efficiency of the installation depend on the type and orientation. The Full Black panels have the highest efficiency per m2. The power is much lower with the colored or semi-transparent panels.
We can say that the payback period today is 3-8 years with good orientation. This is in line with traditional solar panels. The investment in the S-FGR should not be seen as a cost, but a good investment. With a return guarantee of 30 years, you also have the certainty that the panels will continue to generate more than 80% energy after they have earned back for at least another 22 to 27 years.
The S-FGR...are those Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline or Amorphous solar panels?
We offer monocrystalline solar panels with our S-FGR.
Our Mono crystalline cells are characterized by a higher efficiency and better power retention than the Polycrystalline solar cells. Monocrystalline solar cells perform on average 15% better and have an even, black color, which benefits the aesthetics.
We provide a linear return guarantee of 30 years whereby we guarantee that our panels will still achieve an efficiency of +80% after 25 years. This way you can be sure that the panels will continue to perform and yield over the years.
Our Mono crystalline cells are characterized by a higher efficiency and better power retention than the Polycrystalline solar cells. Monocrystalline solar cells perform on average 15% better and have an even, black color, which benefits the aesthetics.
We provide a linear return guarantee of 30 years whereby we guarantee that our panels will still achieve an efficiency of +80% after 25 years. This way you can be sure that the panels will continue to perform and yield over the years.
I read somewhere that I can glue a film with solar panels to the outside of my existing glass railings?
Yes, you can. These are the Amorf solar panels that you can glue as a kind of film.
However, products that seem too good to be true often have a downside. This is also the case with Amorphous solar cells. The advantage of Amorphous cells is that they are very flexible and can therefore be used on many surfaces. There are even almost completely transparent Amorphous solar cells.
So why don't we use Amorphous cells?
The answer is simple ; we resolutely opt for cells with which we can give guarantees on quality and durability. And then the Mono crystalline solar cells are the only good choice.
Amorphous solar cells have a low efficiency (6% to 10% compared to 14-20% with monocrystalline). The biggest problem with Amorphous cells is the durability and the retention of yield. Amorphous solar cells often experience a major drop in efficiency within the first 4 years. A linear return guarantee is therefore non-existent with Amorfe cells. We will therefore only consider the use of other cells if at least the same qualities and guarantees apply.
Is S-FGR unique? Is the system patented?
The S-FGR balustrade is indeed unique.
The Photovoltaic glass panel mounted in our rail system has been patented worldwide. S-FGR is the first certified glass balustrade in accordance with all EU technical regulations and guidelines.
Our system has been extensively tested for fire, safety, power, etc... We are the only one who can present all official tests and certificates that show that the panels meet all requirements on the market.
Which guarantees apply?
- 10 year manufacturer's warranty
- 30 year linear power warranty
- 30-year guarantee on color fastness
I have a terrace where I am considering installing 6m glass balustrade with your S-FGR, is this possible?
2 cases ;
- if this is in addition to existing roof solar panels, this can be considered. As a stand-alone we recommend to provide at least 12m in order to be able to generate a capacity of 2000 to 2500kWh on an annual basis.
- even if you have 20lm that you wish to install, it will still be important to check whether the necessary facilities, concrete or steel, are in place to act as a substrate for the glass balustrades.
I'm building a new building and wish to use my roof space as an outdoor living room or to establish a catering business, can you install glass walls of 2000mm height with your S-FGR?
Because we often received this question, we have designed a special glass clamp profile for this that can withstand the highest wind loads. Our profile FGR-1500-T with its 170mm height can be combined with 1010.4 & 1212.4 toughened glass, so that glass walls of 2000mm height, in combination with our LOB clamping system, pose no problem at all to obtain a large surface and thus a large efficiency of the S-FGR without loss of roof surface.
Traditional construction with roof solar panels and loss of space
|
S-FGR construction with optimal use of roof surface |
I'm interested in your S-FGR to incorporate into my project, what are the steps I need to take to be able to take concrete action?
- Based on your plans/location of your project, we can draw up a yield simulation so that you can check what this can yield for you in terms of energy generation.
- With the same plans we can also provide the anchoring details for optimal anchoring of our S-FGR
- Finally, we can come back with a quote delivered and placed.
Can we see such an S-FGR in real life?
In our showroom in Puurs (Belgium) you are welcome, by appointment only, to see our S-FGR set-up in real life.
Mail to [email protected]
Mail to [email protected]
RAILINGCOMPANY
Rijksweg 3
2870 Puurs-St-Amands
BELGIUM
Rijksweg 3
2870 Puurs-St-Amands
BELGIUM
|
HOURS
M-F: 9am — 17pm |
TELEPHONE
+32/(0)3 434 00 34 |
EMAIL
[email protected] |