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Guardian Industries and Pythagoras Solar Announce Collaboration

11/8/2012

*Auburn Hills, Mich. and San Mateo, Calif. *–  – *Guardian
Industries* <http://guardian.com/> and Pythagoras Solar today announced
they are working together to manufacture and market SunGuard Photovoltaic
Glass Units (PVGU) for commercial buildings.

*Guardian SunGuard* <http://sunguardglass.com/> PVGU, powered by
Pythagoras, combines Pythagoras Solar PVGU tiles with SunGuard advanced
architectural glass to create a building-integrated photovoltaic product.
This replaces standard vision and spandrel glass or skylights, with a glass
product that converts direct sunlight into energy.



“Pythagoras Solar<http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/willis-tower-testing-new-solar-windows-032811/>is
clearly on the cutting edge of this technology,that is ready for wider
adoption in commercial applications,as evident by their having
recently received the
prestigious GE Ecomagination award,” said Guardian Glass Group President
Scott Thomsen. “BIPV is increasingly being specified for commercial
applications and together Guardian and Pythagoras will provide applied
solutions for energy efficient buildings.”



A recent report from industry analyst firm NanoMarkets estimates that the
total market for BIPV glass will reach $6.4 billion (USD) in revenues in
2016 compared to $1.5 billion in 2012.



“We’re pleased that architects and building owners will further benefit
through access to our production-ready, new BIPV technology through
Guardian Industries, a reliable, high-quality industry leader,” said Gonen
Fink, Pythagoras co-founder and CEO.



SunGuard PVGU will help architects and building owners who are looking for
solutions to achieve net-zero buildings.  The product lets in diffused
light, increases energy efficiency and generates electricity from the
building façade, helping projects achieve new “green” energy codes.
Additionally, BIPV projects may be eligible to earn substantial federal tax
credits. SunGuard PVGU is the first in what will be many new developments
from the Guardian SunGuard Advanced Glazing Products family.



Guardian SunGuard PVGU offers architects and building owners:



  - *Energy efficiency* – Complementing Low-E SunGuard products, SunGuard
  PVGU reduces solar heat gain resulting in reduced energy demands on HVAC
  systems, optimizes daylighting and through its insulated unit, improves a
  thermal barrier.
  - *Energy generation* – The PVGU allows transmission of ambient light
  while generating electricity at a rate comparable to crystalline silicon PV
  modules at the same orientation. Optimal glazing would include the
  south, east and west facing facades.
  - *Aesthetic appeal* – SunGuard PVGU offers a range of glass
  configurations so it can blend with building vision glass.
  - *Energy savings* – SunGuard PVGU breaks the existing trade-off between
  high module efficiency and low transparency
  - *Architectural appeal* – Available in a variety of sizes,
theinsulated glass units are transparent and feature adaptable design
to ease
  their integration into the building architecture.

“As we developed PVGU with Pythagoras, our research showed architects are
interested in BIPV products with strong design and performance features,” added
Chris Dolan, Guardian director of commercial glass marketing. “When used
with Guardian SunGuard low-E glass, PVGU addresses the growing demand for
energy-efficient buildings.”

“Guardian’s bold move in launching SunGuard PVGU with Pythagoras Solar's
technology addresses the biggest barrier to improving sustainability in
buildings at a large scale, which is not a lack of building product
innovation, but rather the lack of a credible, committed large-scale
partner to bring these innovations quickly to market,” said Rob Watson,
chairman, CEO and chief scientist, EcoTech International and founding
father of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

For more information, visit *sunguardglass.com* <http://sunguardglass.com/>.

About Guardian Industries Corp.:

Guardian is a diversified global manufacturing company headquartered in
Auburn Hills, Michigan, with leading positions in float glass, fabricated
glass products, fiberglass insulation and other building materials for
commercial, residential and automotive applications. Its automotive trim
group, SRG Global Inc., is one of the world’s largest suppliers of
advanced, high value coatings on plastics. Through its Science & Technology
Center, Guardian is at the forefront of innovation including development of
high performance glass coatings and other advanced products. Guardian, its
subsidiaries and affiliates employ 18,000 people and operate facilities
throughout North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the
Middle East. Visit www.guardian.com <http://www.guardian.com_/>.



About Pythagoras Solar:

Founded in 2007, Pythagoras Solar is uniquely positioned at the
intersection of energy efficient building materials and photovoltaics,
having been selected as a winner of the 2011 GE Ecomagination Challenge.
The company provides building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products that
enable the architecture, engineering and construction sectors to design
buildings with increased energy efficiency, renewable power generation and
appealing aesthetics, thereby increasing real estate value. Pythagoras
Solar will advance distributed power generation, help achieve Net Zero
Energy Buildings and have a lasting impact on green building and urban
planning. Pythagoras Solar is a privately held company with operations in
the United States, Israel and China. More information: *
www.pythagoras-solar.com.*

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