Green Guinea Pig

Have you always wanted to be on a reality show but don’t like the taste of bugs? Do you want to bring green technology to your home or business but lack the information or funds to do so?

If you answered yes to both of these probing questions, our Green Guinea Pig program might be for you!

We have been approached by a number of manufacturers of green technologies who are interested in proving their products in the Chicago area in real conditions. In exchange for the ability to study their product performance in a real building in the Chicago area over a three year period, they will provide their product for cheap or even FREE. Everyone can afford free, right?

As a part of this program we will videotape the development process, the installation, and follow-up interviews with you! If you have been waiting for your 15 minutes of fame, this could be it.

In order to be a candidate for any of these programs, you must be willing to supply your gas and electric bills for the last two years and the coming three years and you must own the property or have control of the property for the coming three years.

GGP #1 – Self Heating Glass
This is an interesting product with wonderful potential for the right type of building. By applying small amounts of DC current to this glass, it becomes a very efficient room heater.

The manufacturer claims three benefits: heat loss through glass is eliminated, cold spots near windows are eliminated, and overall heating costs (including the cost to heat the glass) will go down.

This program is for a retrofit application in a small building (such as a house) or a space within a larger building with its own independent heating and cooling systems (such as a residential or office condo). Another excellent application would be a restaurant or store with storefront windows.

GGP #2 – Photovoltaic Roofing Membrane
This program involves the prove-out of new technology wherein photovoltaic cells (they produce electricity from sunlight) are embedded in a high quality roofing membrane. Electrical energy produced from this membrane will be sold back to the utility, reducing the electrical bill.

This program is for a flat roof application. There can be no shading of the flat roof at any time of the year. Minimum of 500 square feet of membrane to be installed. Energy tax credits may apply.

GGP #3 – Roof mounted PV (photovoltaic) Panels
This program involves the installation and monitoring of roof-mounted solar panels on a roof. Roof orientation must be such that the panels can be oriented toward the sun and unshaded year round. Electrical energy produced from the panels will be sold back to the utility, reducing the electrical bill. Minimum of 500 square feet of membrane to be installed. Energy tax credits may apply.

GGP #4 – Vacuum Glass Retrofit
This program involves the replacement of existing glass with a new type of glass that yields very high insulating values through the use of a new type of insulating glass with a vacuum between two lites of glass.

This program is for a retrofit application in a small building (such as a house) or a space within a larger building with its own independent heating and cooling systems (such as a residential or office condo).

GGP #5 – Solar Awnings
This program is for a product that has dual benefits: the awnings shade the building, reducing cooling loads, and also generate electricity. Electrical energy produced from the awnings will be sold back to the utility, reducing the electrical bill. Minimum of 200 square feet of awning to be installed. Awnings must face South and be unshaded throughout the year. Energy tax credits may apply.

GGP #6 – Solar Metal Roofing
This program involves the use of a new type of metal roofing panel, such as a “standing seam roof” with a PV (photovoltaic) coating. This program is for a retrofit application and requires a roof or mansard oriented to the South, unshaded throughout the year. Electrical energy produced from the roofing panels will be sold back to the utility, reducing the electrical bill. Minimum 300 square feet required.

GGP #7 – Solar Water Heat
This program involves the use of a roof-mounted solar water heater for a small building such as a house, where hot water costs and consumption are definable to a specific area.

Contact mark@chicagowindowexpert.com to apply. Be sure to note the GGP program number you are applying for.

Press Release: Chicago Glass Company Launches Green Guinea Pig Program