mineral / Glass / Specialty Glass

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Glass (Laminated (8.76mm-13.52mm); IGU (28mm-40mm))

Multifunctional glazing combining photovoltaic electricity generation with traditional glass properties, available in laminated and insulated glass unit configurations for building integration

Atlas code
MIN-GLA-SPE-001
mineralglassbipvphotovoltaicsustainableenergy-generatinglaminated
Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Glass (Laminated (8.76mm-13.52mm); IGU (28mm-40mm))
At-a-glance signals

Multifunctional glazing combining photovoltaic electricity generation with traditional glass properties, available in laminated and insulated glass unit configurations for building integration

Overview
Executive summary

Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) glass integrates solar cells within laminated glass assemblies, serving dual functions as building envelope and power generation system. Available in laminated configurations (8.76-13.52mm) for facades and skylights, and IGU configurations (28-40mm) for enhanced thermal performance. Utilises crystalline silicon or thin-film technologies with varying transparency levels from 10-50% light transmission.

Best when…
  • Dual function as building envelope and power generator
  • Reduces cooling loads through solar control
  • Eligible for renewable energy incentives
  • 25+ year operational lifespan
  • Reduces building carbon footprint
  • Architectural flexibility in design
  • Weather-resistant laminated construction
Top advantages
  1. 01 Dual function as building envelope and power generator
  2. 02 Reduces cooling loads through solar control
  3. 03 Eligible for renewable energy incentives
  4. 04 25+ year operational lifespan
  5. 05 Reduces building carbon footprint
Top limitations
  1. 01 High initial capital cost
  2. 02 Reduced visible light transmission
  3. 03 Complex electrical integration required
  4. 04 Limited local manufacturing in Australia
  5. 05 12-20 week lead times for custom configurations
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
2500 kg/m³
Specific gravity
2.5
Porosity
0 %
Water absorption
0 %
Hardness
6.5
UV resistance
Excellent // Inherent glass property
Chemical resistance
Excellent
pH tolerance
3-11
Surface roughness
0.001 µm
Mechanical ·6
Tensile strength
40 MPa
Compressive strength
1000 MPa
Flexural strength
45 MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.22
Impact resistance
Grade A Safety Glass // AS 2208 classification
Creep resistance
Not applicable
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·5
Embodied carbon
850 kgCO2e/m² Per m² of BIPV panel (includes PV laminate, glass layers, and framing).
Carbon footprint
85
Embodied energy
1200 MJ/kg
Recycled content
0 %
Renewable content
0 %
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·4
Combustibility class
Non-combustible
Flame spread index
0
Smoke dev. index
0
Heat release rate
0
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
Material cost (range)
800-1500 // AUD/m² installed
Material cost (per unit)
1150
Lead time
12-20 weeks
Lifecycle cost
1800
Annual maintenance
15
Market availability
Limited - Special order
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
25
Maintenance interval
12
Warranty period
10
Layer D

Where it's used

Commercial building facades
Atrium and skylight systems
Curtain wall integration
Canopy and shading structures
Spandrel panels
Vision glass with partial transparency
Zero-energy building envelopes
Retrofit over-cladding systems
MIN-GLA-SPE-001 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.