BIPV for Airports & Transportation Infrastructure

Mitrex BIPV glass is engineered with low-reflective and low-gloss surfaces, with reflectance as low as ~7% and gloss as low as ~5° at 85°, helping avoid interference with pilots, taxiing aircraft, and ATC tower sightlines. FAA-compatible glare analysis data and modeling can be provided to support design and approvals, ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards including FAA AC 150/5370-2G and ICAO Annex 14 requirements. We coordinate with airport planners and aviation authorities early in design to address any concerns.

Yes. Systems are tested for high wind loads (meeting requirements for airport locations often subject to severe weather), wide temperature swings, high humidity, UV exposure, and corrosive environments such as sea-air exposure in coastal airport locations. They are engineered for long service life in challenging airport conditions while maintaining structural integrity, energy performance, and visual quality. Impact resistance testing ensures durability against bird strikes, hail, and debris. This reliability is essential for the demanding 24/7 operational environment of aviation infrastructure.

Mitrex façades generate on-site renewable energy and use low-embodied-carbon materials supported by LCAs and EPDs, helping airports meet net-zero, LEED, BREEAM, Airport Carbon Accreditation, and ESG frameworks. Energy output can be tied to carbon-reduction metrics and sustainability reporting across terminals and transportation assets—supporting aviation industry's climate commitments, regulatory requirements, and passenger expectations. Many airports have carbon neutrality goals by 2030-2050, and BIPV provides visible progress toward these targets.

Yes. BIPV can be integrated into terminal façades, bridges, elevated walkways, connector buildings, control towers, parking structures, ground transportation centers, and transit hubs, turning multiple surface types into cohesive, energy-generating envelope that also enhances the airport's visual identity and architectural presence. This comprehensive approach maximizes renewable energy generation across entire airport campus. Parking structures represent particularly significant opportunity given their large surface areas and solar exposure.

Airports often feature folded, curved, or tilted façades, dramatic canopies, and signature architectural elements. We provide full design-assist support to integrate BIPV into complex geometries, shading fins, sculptural forms, corners, and large-scale architectural features while maintaining aviation-safe optical performance and structural compatibility. This enables iconic airport designs to incorporate renewable energy generation seamlessly. Custom panel shapes, curved panels, and coordinated layouts support architectural vision while delivering energy performance.

By combining long-life, maintenance-free façade with energy generation, BIPV reduces cleaning and access costs, lowers utility expenses, and improves lifecycle value. ROI modeling includes solar yield, payback periods, operational savings, avoided costs (compared to both cladding replacement and separate solar installation), and 60-year service life, enabling airport authorities to plan long-term cost reductions and resilience investments—critical for infrastructure with multi-decade planning horizons and complex funding structures including bonds and PFCs (passenger facility charges).

Maintenance is similar to high-quality glass or metal façades. The exterior glass surface includes anti-soiling and hydrophobic properties reducing dirt build-up and making cleaning faster and less frequent. Routine maintenance typically involves visual inspections for damage or soiling and periodic cleaning aligned with your building's overall façade maintenance program. The system is designed to be virtually maintenance-free over its 60-year lifespan, significantly reducing long-term operating costs and access requirements compared to traditional cladding materials that may require refinishing, repainting, or replacement.

Our structured collections include Genesis Solar Series (earthy, textured finishes mimicking stone, concrete, and metal) and Exodus Solar Series (bold, uniform architectural colors with smooth finishes). For eFacade PRO+, we offer an 'open palette'—virtually any color, pattern, or texture including matches to RAL, Pantone, or branded colors. We can work with you to match specific materials like limestone, sandstone, cedar, or other cladding materials you're specifying. Custom color matching is available with consideration for the color-vs-power trade-off (darker tones generally deliver higher energy yield). We provide sample chips, larger mockup panels for side-by-side comparison, and guidance on how color choices impact W/ft² and annual kWh.

Mitrex BIPV installs very similarly to standard rainscreen or cladding. The primary trade is the façade installer or cladding contractor who manages rails, brackets, panel installation, and often assists with running low-voltage wiring behind panels. A licensed electrical contractor handles tying into building electrical infrastructure—inverters, combiners, disconnects, and main service. Our engineering team provides clear scope definitions and connection diagrams so GCs can allocate responsibilities between trades without ambiguity.

BIPV can integrate with bird-deterrent features if required, doesn't create wildlife attractants, and maintains Wildlife Hazard Management Plan compliance. Non-reflective finishes reduce bird confusion, unlike highly reflective glass.