Cambridge cleantech firm in talks over 2012 Olympics and 2022 World Cup
Transparent photovoltaic glass developed by Cambridge cleantech firm, Polysolar could be used at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2022 World Cup and the £500m ‘Walkie Talkie’ skyscraper in Fenchurch Street, London.
Polysolar has developed a solar panel that it says is different from any other on the market in that it can be used as a building material and also does not need to be south-facing.
Founder Hamish Watson said: “Our PV glass has generated a lot of interest and we are in discussions to install it at the 2012 Olympic village, where it could be used to help generate power for information displays across the site.
“We have also had early discussions with the organisers of the 2022 World Cup and the developers of London’s Walkie Talkie building – both projects are obviously quite exciting for our company.”
The current technology is based on ultra thin film amorphous silicon materials, and Polysolar is now working with academics in Sheffield and the Plastic Electronics Technology Centre in the North East to develop “low cost next generation organic polymer photovoltaic technologies as a replacement of conventional window glass.”
Polysolar was founded in 2007 and is part funded by a £1m research grant from the TSB and is also supported by glass company Pilkington and chemical firm Solvay.
The London Olympics will also be an extra big deal for another Cambridge cleantech startup. Camfridge will be demonstrating its next generation magnetic fridge as part of a product showcase planned for the event.
