WHAT BECAME OF… „PHYTONICS“

The team set out with a vision: to accelerate the energy transition through a technological breakthrough in photovoltaics. As the market response showed, the main problem with reflections was not energy loss, but the glare caused by the extremely bright reflections. To solve this problem, the team specifically developed an anti-reflective coating for photovoltaic modules based on bionic microstructures: Using a roll-to-roll process, a special coating is applied to an extremely weather-resistant, self-adhesive film and patterned, thereby reducing the reflected brightness of solar modules by about 99%. This technology enables the use of photovoltaics in locations where modules could not previously be installed due to glare, such as at airports or near highways. In residential neighborhoods too, glare from solar installations often causes disputes, which can be effectively resolved with the anti-glare film.

The fact that Phytonics has successfully filled this market gap is now evident from the use of its anti-glare films at Brussels Airport. There, a Belgian logistics company - which has its warehouses in the immediate vicinity of Brussels-Charleroi Airport - is installing the spin-off’s films on the roofs of its buildings. Due to the proximity to the airport, particularly strict regulations apply, which are met thanks to the Phytonics films, thereby enabling solar power generation. Approximately 40 percent of the total 12,000 solar modules were equipped with the anti-blend films for this project. For projects of this scale, Phytonics pre-cuts the films in advance so that they can be applied directly on-site with minimal effort. The project in Brussels exemplifies a growing area of application for this technology. 

Since their market launch in 2024, Phytonics’ anti-glare films have been used in several photovoltaic projects near airports - precisely where glare has previously hindered the expansion of solar energy.

Further Links:

• Phytonics

Images:

• WPD
• Timeless Planet