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NEXT Energy Technologies Installs Energy-Generating Windows on Patagonia’s Headquarters

NEXT Energy Technologies Installs Energy-Generating Windows on Patagonia’s Headquarters

This demonstration marks the first installation of NEXT’s photovoltaic window technology on a building

NEXT Energy Technologies has installed windows that are generating solar power at Patagonia’s corporate headquarters, marking the first time NEXT’s window technology is being demonstrated on a building and furthering Patagonia’s commitment to using business to implement solutions to the environmental crisis.

NEXT developed a proprietary transparent photovoltaic coating that transforms commercial windows into energy-generating windows. Patagonia, the outdoor apparel company based in Ventura, worked with NEXT to install 22 of the windows on the south-facing facade of the Olive Building on Patagonia’s main campus. The building houses offices, an employee gym and climbing wall. The windows are a production demonstration of how NEXT’s transparent solar technology can be seamlessly integrated into commercial buildings to generate electricity to power the building and alleviate strain on the grid.

NEXT’s windows installed at Patagonia deliver dedicated power to the building for charging phones and other devices while employees use the community spaces. Employees also have access to proprietary metrics with real-time power output and charging information to inform users of the benefits of the windows.

Partners in Creating Better Buildings for Tomorrow

NEXT estimates that its windows are capable of producing 20-30% of the power produced by conventional solar panels alone. However, by leveraging the underutilized surface area of the building facade, as opposed to isolated rooftops, NEXT’s windows have the potential to produce significant onsite renewable power, offsetting anywhere from 10-40% of a typical commercial building’s energy load. The windows also capture and convert infrared light, which reduces the building’s heat load and further alleviates the existing strain on a building’s power infrastructure.

See related article: Patagonia Founder Gives Away Company to Climate-Change Organization

“Deploying this technology with Patagonia, one of the most respected brands in sustainability, is a huge milestone for us. It demonstrates Patagonia’s commitment to leading by example on climate change and shines a light on innovations that can help commercial buildings achieve net-zero energy and sustainability goals,” said Daniel Emmett, CEO and co-founder of NEXT Energy Technologies. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Patagonia to demonstrate our technology in action and share the numerous benefits to building owners, developers and occupants, including reduced operating expenses, increased building value, improved building resilience, relieved pressure and reliance on the grid, and reduced carbon footprint.”

“Global building stock is expected to double by 2060, and if transparent PV windows can be deployed widely on buildings during this timeframe, they have the potential to reduce GHG emissions from the built environment by over 1 gigaton per year, a huge opportunity for climate impact,” Emmett continued.

“We’ve been using solar power at our headquarters in Ventura since 2005 and at our Reno Distribution Center since 1996,” said Corley Kenna, head of Communications and Public Policy at Patagonia. “We rely on 100% renewable electricity for our owned and operated facilities in the United States and 76% globally, achieved through on-site and off-site installations. We have funded more than 1,000 solar arrays on homes across the U.S. and have helped install more than 600 kilowatts of solar power globally to support agriculture. Finding better ways of doing business is something we always strive to do and we’re pleased to partner with NEXT Energy to help us be a more responsible company.”

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