Background

Build-Solar have developed robust, architecturally attractive building materials that embed photovoltaic and smart technologies. The system is designed to construct highly customisable robust semi-transparent wall panels that generate solar energy (up to 160w/m²) utilising vertical spaces with a very small land area footprint (80mm width) and provide flexible smart technology hosting through an innovative “plug and play” module within each panel. The robust nature of these materials and modular design solves the problem of existing products being too fragile and offering a limited range of architectural flexibility and adaptability to serve rapidly changing technologies for them to be deployed in transport and street settings. By offering services from Build-Solar’s Smart-Solar-Walls such as electric-vehicle charging, docking for micro-mobility and hosting internet-of-things and information‑communication-technology across transport and city assets, walls will be transformed to provide long term value through a digital services revenue model, increasing affordability and driving sustainability.

Technology Overview

Build-Solar is a University of Exeter spin-out company founded by solar energy researchers and commercialisation professionals, recognised for developing innovation in the field of sustainable building materials (Pitch@Palace Finalist 2019, Cornwall Sustainable Business Awards 2018, Royal Institute of British Architecture Journal 2017).

The technology has been developed to TRL4-5.

Benefits

Small land foot print overcomes the challenge of limited space available to implement existing renewable energy technologies at scale across linear transport systems or built environment.
Robust materials overcome challenge of existing photovoltaic technologies being too fragile to deploy within context of transport infrastructure or at ground level within busy built environments.
Semi-transparent overcomes problems associated with aesthetics and community acceptance and provides customisable levels of day‑lighting.
“Plug-and-Play” module underpins services business model with hosting platform for a range smart technologies and charging infrastructure generating new sources of revenue.

Building Facade Smart Mobility Infrastructure

Applications

Building Facade
Smart Infrastructure
Transport Infrastructure

Opportunity

The company is seeking Seed investment and strategic supply chain partnerships.

Build Solar: Smart Solar Walls

Patents

IP Status

Seeking