In today's modern world, technology is rapidly advancing, and many tech giants have climbed to this peak of intense competition to create solar energy in the most efficient way possible. One such example is Google which has set a goal for itself. This goal is to transition to carbon-free energy and eliminate all fossil fuel use by 2030.
They're doing this by looking for opportunities to increase the amount of solar energy their structures can collect. In most human inventions, there's a touch of nature because Mother Nature is essentially the best example for construction. This is why Google has extended its Silicon Valley campus.
They have implemented a huge, canopy-shaped roof structure (inspired by forests). This is because standard rectangular solar panels aren't compatible with the roof structure. Homeowners typically install solar panels according to their roof design. On the other hand, Google designs the building first, then adds solar panels.
Essentially, they have integrated solar technology into the design of the buildings from the beginning. This process is called building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Google calls this new structure the "Dragonscale" solar skin. It is a pioneer in solar technology with an innovative design that comprises 90,000 silver solar panels with a total capacity of 7 megawatts of energy.
SunStyle And Google Create Dragonscale
Google partnered with the company SunStyle to create the dragonscale solar roof. This roof utilizes a highly textured prismatic glass shingle with exquisite coating technology. This coating gives the panels a sparkly texture. The coating and texture combine to decrease reflective glare, which can be dangerous for pilots and drivers when solar panels are situated on large structures.
The prismatic glass increases the efficiency of solar panels and collects more sunlight. Other than the dragonscale solar panels. Google has also introduced pavilion-like rooflines, which allow light capture from different angles. Consequently, more power will be generated for longer daylight hours compared to solar panels on a flat roof.