Pythagoras Solar has won the GE ecomagination Challenge for its Photovoltaic Glass Unit (PVGU) window technology. The company fended off competition from nearly 5,000 other entrants to win the award, which recognises the most promising innovations in the field of building-integrated energy technology.
The window unit offers the highest power density of any PVGU product on the market and with commercial installations already underway, a growing project pipeline and now the GE award, Pythagoras is well positioned to establish itself as a leader in building-integrated photovoltaics.
“GE sets high standards and we are proud that our technology has been recognised as a distinctive solution, ready for the real world and set to enable a market shift towards net zero energy buildings,” Pythagoras’ vice president of marketing and business development, Udi Paret, said. ”This award, along with its US$100,000 prize, validates our proposition and supplements the increased interest we are seeing from successful pilots, first commercial projects and growing product demand.”
“After one year and US$134 million committed to new partners, we delivered on our goal to scale and commercialise the best new ideas through open innovation,” added GE’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Beth Comstock. “The power of networked ideas, collaboration and partnerships to accelerate innovation represents a gathering force whose impact will be a significant driver in the future of business.”
The ecomagination Challenge is a collaboration between venture capital firms RockPort Capital, KPCB, Foundation Capital and Emerald Technology Ventures and is part of GE’s ecomagination initiative. The other award winners included PlottWatt, Suntulit, Viridity and Xergy.
