Cambridge Company Looking to Shine at 2012 London Olympics

Polysolar, based at ideaSpace, are currently in discussions about installing its new product – a transparent photovoltaic glass, which has just received MCS certification for the feed-in-tariff – in the Olympic village to help generate power for information displays across the site.

Each pane of glass can generate around 100W of electricity and can be used everywhere from wall cladding and windows to greenhouses and bus shelters.

"Our product is different from any other solar panels on the market because it can be used as a building material - making it a highly cost-effective integral part of the building," said company founder Hamish Watson.

"Unlike traditional solar cells - which need to be southward facing - the glass can be positioned anywhere, so is more flexible for large-scale architectural and engineering projects and hence it generates a higher yield."

Established in 2007, Polysolar is an award-winning developer and supplier of advanced photovoltaic products and technologies for building-integrated applications (BIPV). The company is part funded by a £1 million research grant from the Technology Strategy Board, and is also supported by leading glass company Pilkington and chemical firm Solvay.

Polysolar are also in early discussions with organisers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as well as developers of London’s Walkie Talkie building, a 36-storey skyscraper due to be completed in 2014.