PPG Industries is installing a 4,800-watt solar array on the roof of the PPG Flat Glass Business and Discovery Center in Harmar, Pennsylvania. The site, which is about 15 miles from the company“s hea…
PPG Industries is installing a 4,800-watt solar array on the roof of the PPG Flat Glass Business and Discovery Center in Harmar, Pennsylvania. The site, which is about 15 miles from the company“s headquarters in Pittsburgh, is expected to be functional early this summer. According to Scott Follett, global director, PPG Solar Performance Group, the site will demonstrate the value of PPG solar glass products – such as the Solarphire line – and will help company researchers and product developers to gather real-world data on the performance of existing and prototype products. Follett said that the array will also be available as a testing and demonstration site for clients. The array will include two 10-module assemblies, complete with on-line monitoring software to measure the real-time power output of each module type. Clients will have the possibility of using the demonstration site in one-month intervals, and those with products installed on the array will have access to performance data via email or the Internet. Solar power generated by the array will be tied back into building operations. PPG will equip one assembly with Solarphire PV photovoltaic glass and the other with Solarphire AR anti-reflective glass and compare their performance.