Power Meets Panache! Mitrex’s Solar with Style

With sustainability in the spotlight, solar products are evolving to offer both elegance and efficiency. Mitrex, a pioneer in Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), offers solar panels that do more than generate energy—they also allow for design customization without significant sacrifice to performance. This blog explores how Mitrex solar panels balance power efficiency with aesthetic versatility by examining the impact of colors and patterns on energy generation and the measures Mitrex takes to maintain industry-standard power tolerances.

Customization in Solar Panels

Mitrex’s BIPV products provide an unparalleled level of design flexibility, allowing architects and builders to mimic a wide range of materials, from granite and brick to wood and custom graphics. This innovation is achieved through a surface treatment that fuses colors and patterns to the solar glass, resulting in a durable and fade-resistant finish. While the addition of colors and patterns does affect light transmittance, Mitrex’s design focus prioritizes both aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency, making it easier for sustainable materials to integrate seamlessly into architectural designs.

‍The Effect of Color on Power Output

Mitrex BIPV modules are available in solid colors that adhere to a strict power tolerance of ±3% from the specified panel power. For example:

• Obsidian Pattern: Rated at 15.9W per square foot (345W for a 2x1m panel), Obsidian panels have a power range of 15.4W to 16.4W per square foot, or between 335W and 355W for a 2x1m panel. This level of precision ensures consistent performance even when choosing colors that may typically reduce light absorption.

Patterns With Minimal Power Variation

When a design requires patterns that remain consistent across all panels, Mitrex’s BIPV maintains a slightly higher power tolerance of ±5%. These designs allow for visual versatility without compromising efficiency, even for larger projects. An example includes:

• Arcturus Pattern: Rated at 12.2W per square foot (265W for a 2x1m panel), with a variation between 11.6W and 12.8W per square foot. This range equals 252W to 278W for a 2x1m panel, giving architects a reliable energy output while accommodating visually cohesive designs.

Patterns With Variable Power Outcomes

For patterns with intentional variations, Mitrex allows a broader tolerance of ±30%, reflecting the increased complexity in energy output due to the diversity in light transmission across different panel sections. This high tolerance enables the creation of intricate and unique designs. For instance:

• Tramonto Pattern: With a base power rating of 13.9W per square foot (300W for a 2x1m panel), the power output can range from 9.7W to 18.1W per square foot, or 210W to 390W for a 2x1m panel. While patterns within this variation range may present a broader power fluctuation, panels with identical patterns in the Tramonto line adhere to the 5% tolerance.

Power Efficiency: Balancing Aesthetics and Performance

Mitrex’s commitment to innovation allows the company to deliver energy-efficient panels while giving designers creative freedom. The power tolerance levels are carefully managed to maintain a balance between energy output and aesthetic flexibility, allowing architects to select from a range of colors, patterns, and textures that suit their project’s vision without significant efficiency losses.

A New Era in BIPV Technology

Mitrex’s solar panels provide architects and developers with a new level of input in solar facade design. With the ability to choose panel colors, patterns, and power tolerances, Mitrex offers a practical way for the building industry to adopt sustainable solutions that enhance architectural aesthetics without compromising energy efficiency. This fusion of design and technology marks a significant advancement in sustainable construction, meeting both aesthetic and environmental demands in urban settings.