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Nov 25, 2023

What Is Smart Glass? Once a Luxury Amenity Now Emerges as Energy Saver

As high energy costs force conversations about efficiency, schools, airports and

As high energy costs force conversations about efficiency, schools, airports and other public buildings are looking to dynamic glass as one small-scale solution.

The Sunset Ridge School in Chicago features 1,223 rooftop solar panels, rain gardens and a library with smart glass.

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The US Inflation Reduction Act passed in August contains tax and investment incentives for a number of clean-energy technologies, including electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines. But the 750-page document also features a 30% tax credit for a lesser-known player in the push for energy efficiency: dynamic glass.

Dynamic glass, also referred to as smart glass, has essentially the same effect as "Transition" sunglass lenses: It darkens when exposed to sunlight. Except in this case the tinting effect is created by an electrical charge, which can be activated naturally or by remote control. For modern buildings that feature a lot of glass, the technology can be used to temper intense sunlight and expand the use of shared spaces. But as high energy costs force conversations about efficiency, schools, stores, airports and other public buildings are also looking to dynamic glass as one small-scale energy-saving solution.