BIPV, Minimalist Photovoltaic Windows from Trentino for Energy-Producing Buildings
From pv magazine Italia, interview with Claudio Castellan by Lara Morandotti
Glass to Power from Rovereto has launched Heli-ON, an insulating glass unit equipped with a photovoltaic frame that transforms glazed surfaces into active energy sources. pv magazine Italia interviewed Claudio Castellan, CEO of Glass to Power. “It is the result of years of research and development, a journey supported by our participation in the European project MC2.0 and the dynamic environment of the Polo Meccatronica in Rovereto.”
Glass to Power, based in Rovereto (TN), recently launched Heli-ON, presenting it in the integrated photovoltaics sector, BIPV, as “a new product designed to meet the needs of nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB)”. pv magazine Italia interviewed Claudio Castellan, CEO of Glass to Power.
pv magazine Italia: How did you come to develop this product?
Glass to Power was born with a very specific idea: to transform buildings from simple consumers to actual energy producers. This vision pushed us to develop innovative solutions in the field of BIPV, recognizing in glass, an essential architectural element, an extraordinary potential as an active energy source. Heli-ON is the result of years of research and development, a journey supported by our participation in the European project MC2.0 and the dynamic environment of the Polo Meccatronica in Rovereto. The collaboration with local companies and institutions, combined with access to specialized resources and skills, played a decisive role in our journey. Trentino, with its strong focus on sustainability, proved to be the ideal context to bring our project to life.
What are the main technical characteristics?
Heli-ON is an insulating glass unit equipped with a photovoltaic frame that transforms glazed surfaces into active energy sources. Its strength lies in its harmonious integration into the building’s architecture, without compromising its aesthetics.The monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cells guarantee high performance and optimal reliability, with an energy production that can reach up to 75 W/m². The minimal design of the frame allows to maintain the beauty of the building, adapting even to sophisticated architectural contexts.
Where can it be used?
An important aspect is its versatility: it can be used in various applications, such as curtain walls, skylights, glass roofs, and greenhouses. Furthermore, the dimensions can be customized to meet specific design requirements. In addition to improving the energy efficiency of buildings, Heli-ON contributes to achieving nZEB and Positive Energy Building standards.
What is, to date, the overview of advantages and limitations?
First of all, it transforms glazed surfaces into renewable energy sources, contributing to the production of clean energy.This leads to a significant reduction in energy consumption and building management costs. Furthermore, the integrated design allows Heli-ON to blend perfectly with the architecture, without altering its aesthetics. In addition to energy efficiency, it guarantees excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, maintaining the performance of a traditional insulating glass unit and helping to reduce environmental impact. However, there are some limitations. The initial cost is higher than traditional windows, but the investment pays for itself over time thanks to energy savings. Furthermore, adequate solar exposure is required to achieve maximum efficiency. Finally, in some cases, architectural or regulatory constraints may limit its adoption.
Are there already application cases to tell with relative results?
At the moment, we do not yet have concrete applications with specific results to present, but we are in a very active development phase and several pilot projects are about to start. There is great interest among architects, builders, and developers, and we are working intensely to respond to the numerous requests. The BAU 2025 fair in Munich was an important opportunity to present Heli-ON to the public and gather valuable feedback. We are confident that in the coming months we will be able to share the first concrete results and demonstrate the innovative value of the solution.
